1
a
: a young carnivorous mammal (such as a bear, fox, or lion)
b
: a young shark
2
: a young person
3
: apprentice
especially : an inexperienced newspaper reporter

Examples of cub in a Sentence

the kind of big story that can propel a cub reporter into the stratosphere of the newspaper world assigned to teach a bunch of young cubs how to play baseball
Recent Examples on the Web The cubs were then released on state game land in Pine Grove Township on Thursday morning. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 7 Mar. 2024 In most attacks, bears are trying to defend their food, cubs or space. Mike Stunson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2024 A little while later, the cubs emerge from the narrow space and Sielsch boards up the opening. Brooke Baitinger, Sacramento Bee, 29 Feb. 2024 For the first time, researchers directly linked greenhouse gas emissions to their effect on the survival of polar bear cubs. USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2024 The zoo, which worked with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to rescue the cub Tuesday afternoon from somewhere in the Western U.S., has begun what officials expect will be a long rehabilitation for the young tiger. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2024 The responding deputy's body-camera footage showed the cubs playfully following the man who reported them and the deputy along with trying to climb into her patrol vehicle. Brandon Girod, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024 This isn’t a commercial for bear merchandise (yet), but a sweet little film about a cub who finds a family and a home in London. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The account shared that typically, bear cubs in the U.S. are born at the start of the year. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 23 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cub.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably akin to Middle English cobbe leader of a group, head — more at cob

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cub was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near cub

Cite this Entry

“Cub.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cub. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cub

noun
1
a
: a young flesh-eating mammal (as a bear, fox, or lion)
b
: a young shark
2
: a young person
3
: a person just learning a job : apprentice
a cub reporter
a cub pilot
4

More from Merriam-Webster on cub

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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