petting
Americannoun
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the act of fondling or caressing.
Petting or massage may help calm a stressed or hyperactive dog.
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Informal. kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve sexual intercourse.
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the present participle of pet.
Etymology
Origin of petting
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Knicks just won a championship, we were so happy,” she yells out, petting her dog.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2026
Capybaras occasionally wander into the café, though petting them isn’t allowed.
From Slate • May 27, 2026
Sixteen people have become unwell with after visiting a petting farm in Edinburgh.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
There, visitors can spend time petting the rodents for about $32.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026
George's mom could sign the paper now, since she had brought them to the petting zoo.
From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
