PUP

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

PUP
Stands forPhysically unable to perform
Meanings2
CategoriesSports, Technology & Computing

PUP has two meanings. It stands for Physically unable to perform (American football) or Potentially unwanted program (cybersecurity).

Meanings of PUP at a glance

#PUP stands forContext
1Physically unable to performSports › American Football
2Potentially unwanted programTechnology & Computing › Cybersecurity

1. Physically unable to perform

Sports · American Football Abbreviations

NFL list for players who cannot practice because of football injuries suffered before training camp. Players moved to the reserve PUP list for the regular season must sit out at least the first four games.

Example: The running back opened camp on the PUP list while he recovers from knee surgery.

Active/PUP applies during training camp, and a player can be activated from it at any time; reserve/PUP applies once the season starts. Injuries suffered away from football go on the NFI (non-football injury) list instead. Pronounced "pup".

2. Potentially unwanted program

Technology & Computing · Cybersecurity Abbreviations

Software that is not clearly malware but behaves in ways users usually do not want, such as adware, browser toolbars, search hijackers and bundled "optimizers" installed alongside free downloads.

Example: The antivirus quarantined two PUPs that came bundled with the free PDF converter.

Security vendors use the softer label partly to avoid legal disputes with the companies behind such software. Installers with pre-ticked checkboxes are the most common source. Microsoft Defender can block them when the feature is enabled. Also called PUA, potentially unwanted application.

More American football abbreviations

  • PI – Pass interference
  • PPR – Points per reception
  • PR – Punt returner
  • PS – Practice squad
  • QB – Quarterback
  • QBR – Total Quarterback Rating
  • RB – Running back
  • REC – Receptions

See all 80 American football abbreviations →

More cybersecurity abbreviations

  • PFS – Perfect forward secrecy
  • PGP – Pretty Good Privacy
  • PII – Personally identifiable information
  • PKI – Public key infrastructure
  • RaaS – Ransomware as a service
  • RADIUS – Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service
  • RAT – Remote access trojan
  • RBAC – Role-based access control

See all 119 cybersecurity abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.