whelp

American  

[hwelp, welp] / ʰwɛlp, wɛlp /

noun

1. the young of a carnivore, as a dog, bear, lion, seal, etc.

2. a youth, especially an impudent or despised one.

   Synonyms:

   whippersnapper, urchin, brat

3. Machinery.

   1. any of a series of longitudinal projections or ridges on the barrel of a capstan, windlass, etc.

   2. any of the teeth of a sprocket wheel.

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verb (used with or without object)

1. (of a female dog, lion, etc.) to give birth to (young).

whelp British  

/ wɛlp /

noun

1. a young offspring of certain animals, esp of a wolf or dog

2. derogatory a young man or youth

3. humorous a young child

4. nautical any of the ridges, parallel to the axis, on the drum of a capstan to keep a rope, cable, or chain from slipping

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verb

1. (of an animal or, disparagingly, a woman) to give birth to (young)

Other Word Forms

• unwhelped adjective
• whelpless adjective

Etymology

Origin of whelp

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun, from Old English hwelp (cognate with Old Norse hvelpr, Old Saxon hwelp, Old High German hwelf, welf, German Welf); verb derivative of the noun

Example Sentences

The puppies were whelped by Kruse’s business partner and former employee who sells the litters from Kruse’s breeding dogs under his own license, which had not been suspended.

From Los Angeles Times

Historically in winter, the gulf’s pack ice transforms into the southernmost whelping grounds for harp seals—an ice nursery for newborn pups.

From National Geographic

If you’re craving some cuteness overload, check out Warrior Canine Connection’s puppy whelping room cam.

From Seattle Times

“That first view of … whelp, there’s no building there.”

From Washington Times

Dogs bred at the facility, from birth until eight weeks of age, are cared for at the AFB's Military Working Dog Center in their "state of the art whelping facility," according to the squadron's website.

From Fox News