pup ‧ pet /ˈpʌpət, ˈpʌpɪt/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: poupette , from an unrecorded poupe 'doll' , from Latin pupa ; ⇨ ↑ pupa ]
1 . a model of a person or animal that you move by pulling wires or strings, or by putting your hand inside it
puppet show/theatre/play
a 20-minute puppet show
glove/hand/finger puppet
2 . a person or organization that allows other people to control them and make their decisions
puppet of
The government is in danger of becoming a mere puppet of the military.
puppet government/regime/state (=a government etc controlled by a more powerful country or organization)