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whelp

noun
\ ˈhwelp How to pronounce whelp (audio) , ˈwelp\

Definition of whelp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog
2 : a young boy or girl

whelp

verb
whelped; whelping; whelps

Definition of whelp (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to give birth to —used of various carnivores and especially the dog

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young
Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about whelp

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Synonyms & Antonyms for whelp

Synonyms: Noun

bairn [chiefly Scottish], bambino, bud, chap [Southern & Midland], chick, child, cub, juvenile, kid, kiddie (also kiddy), kiddo, moppet, sprat, sprout, squirt, youngling, youngster, youth

Antonyms: Noun

adult, grown-up

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Examples of whelp in a Sentence

Noun

 playtime's over, it's time to gather up the whelps and head home

Verb

 The dog whelped in March.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

 And from Susan’s line, the queen’s breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor whelped hundreds of corgi puppies. — William Booth, Washington Post, "Queen Elizabeth II loses her last corgi, Willow, marking the end of a scrappy canine dynasty," 18 Apr. 2018 From the queen's breeding program at the Kennels of Windsor, hundreds of royal corgis have been whelped. — William Booth, chicagotribune.com, "Queen Elizabeth II loses her last corgi, Willow, marking the end of a scrappy canine dynasty," 18 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whelp.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of whelp

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for whelp

Noun

Middle English, from Old English hwelp; akin to Old High German hwelf whelp

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More Definitions for whelp

whelp

noun
How to pronounce whelp (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of whelp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

old-fashioned : a young animal especially : a young dog

whelp

verb

English Language Learners Definition of whelp (Entry 2 of 2)

of a female animal : to give birth

See the full definition for whelp in the English Language Learners Dictionary

whelp

noun
\ ˈhwelp How to pronounce whelp (audio) , ˈwelp\

Kids Definition of whelp

: one of the young of an animal (as a dog) that eats flesh

whelp

noun
\ ˈhwelp How to pronounce whelp (audio) , ˈwelp How to pronounce whelp (audio) \

Medical Definition of whelp

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: one of the young of various carnivorous mammals and especially of the dog

whelp

transitive verb

Medical Definition of whelp (Entry 2 of 2)

: to give birth to —used of various carnivores and especially the dog

intransitive verb

: to bring forth young

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More from Merriam-Webster on whelp

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with whelp

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for whelp

Spanish Central: Translation of whelp

Nglish: Translation of whelp for Spanish Speakers

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