pug

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: any of a breed of small sturdy compact dogs of Asian origin with a smooth, short coat, tightly curled tail, short muzzle, and broad wrinkled face
2
a
b
: a close knot or coil of hair : bun

Illustration of pug

Illustration of pug
  • pug 1

pug

2 of 4

verb

pugged; pugging

transitive verb

: to work and mix (a substance, such as clay) when wet especially to make more homogeneous and easier to handle (as in throwing or molding wares)

pug

3 of 4

noun (2)

pug

4 of 4

noun (3)

Examples of pug in a Sentence

Noun (2) a retired pug with battered ears and swollen knuckles
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
In 1986, the designer’s beloved pug dog, Oliver, became a celebrity with a Valentino line bearing his name and likeness. Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 Mason, 39, talks with PEOPLE exclusively about all the planning that went into throwing their pug the perfect party. Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025 Despite his high drive, Whiskie also embraces his pug side. Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Your poodle, pug, or Maltese will love these cute and soft blankets, which are suitable for other pets, too, like a cat or large kitten. Christine Persaud, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pug

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

obsolete pug hobgoblin, monkey

Verb

origin unknown

Noun (2)

by shortening & alteration from pugilist

Noun (3)

Hindi & Urdu pag foot, step

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1843, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1858, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pug was in 1751

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pug.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pug. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pug

noun
ˈpəg
: any of a breed of small sturdy compact dogs having a short coat, tightly curled tail, and broad wrinkled face

More from Merriam-Webster on pug

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