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pup

n. · v.
US //ˈpəp// UK //pˈʌp// pup
  1. 1 young animal (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a young dog, wolf, seal, or shark.

    the young of certain mammals, specifically canines, pinnipeds, and some sharks.

    Example

    The seal pup stayed close to its mother on the icy beach.

    Example

    Biologists observed the wolf pup exploring the perimeter of the den while the rest of the pack was away hunting.
  2. 2 cute dog (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a cute or friendly dog, even if it is already an adult.

    an affectionate or informal term for a domestic dog of any age.

    Example

    He took his old pup for a slow walk in the park.

    Example

    Even at ten years old, the golden retriever acted like a energetic pup whenever someone grabbed the tennis ball.
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  1. 3 plant shoot (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Horticulture

    a small new plant growing from the side of a larger one.

    a lateral shoot or offset from a parent plant used for vegetative propagation.

    Example

    You can grow a new aloe plant by carefully removing a pup from the base.

    Example

    The gardener waited until the bromeliad pup reached a third of the parent's size before attempting to pot it independently.
  2. 4 to give birth (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to give birth to young animals like dogs or seals.

    to bring forth young; used specifically of animals whose offspring are called pups.

    Example

    The seals usually pup on these remote islands during the spring.

    Example

    The documentary crew spent three weeks filming the colony as the females began to pup along the rocky shoreline.
    • whelp
    • give birth
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