penny

1 of 2

noun

pen·​ny ˈpe-nē 

plural pennies ˈpe-nēz  or pence ˈpen(t)s 

often attributive

1

a

: a monetary unit of the United Kingdom formerly equal to ¹/₂₄₀ pound but now equal to ¹/₁₀₀ pound

b

: a similar monetary unit of any of various other countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations see pound at Money Table

c

: a coin representing one penny

2

: denarius

3

plural pennies : cent

4

: a former monetary unit equal to ¹/₁₀₀ Irish pound

5

: a trivial amount

6

: a piece or sum of money

that will cost a pretty penny

-penny

2 of 2

adjective combining form

: being a (designated) nail size

an eightpenny nail

Examples of penny in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lawyers before party So to review: Under the new fundraising agreement, the entity handling Trump’s legal bills takes its bite before the party committees receive a penny. —Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

One final thing to keep in mind is that the rewards are paid in points and can be redeemed for cash at one penny a point. —Rob Berger, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Amazon and Best Buy are offering a four-pack of Apple AirTags for $74.99 ($25 off), which is only a penny more than the record low. —Quentyn Kennemer, The Verge, 28 Mar. 2024

Although seemingly small, the price bump represents more than just four pennies. —Hannah Wiley, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2024

In the season one finale of the comedy, which aired on Aug. 12, 2022, Molly declared plans to give away every penny of her $120 billion divorce settlement from tech tycoon John Novak (Adam Scott) after a publicly embarrassing business blunder. —Brande Victorian, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Apr. 2024

Thames Water Kemble bonds this month dropped below 30 pence on the pound, well into distressed territory, according to prices compiled by Bloomberg. —Jessica Shankleman, Fortune Europe, 28 Mar. 2024

Or a new sales tax, possibly as much as a full penny on the dollar in Clay, were a ballpark built in North Kansas City. —Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024

Even more troubling are the 3 in 10 Americans over 59 years old who don't have a penny saved for retirement. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English penning, penig; akin to Old High German pfenning, a coin

Adjective combining form

penny; perhaps from the original price per hundred

First Known Use

Noun

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

Phrases Containing penny

• (a) penny for your thoughts
• a penny saved (is a penny earned)
• a pretty penny
• earn/turn an honest penny
• every penny helps/counts
• in for a penny, in for a pound
• not a penny less/more
• not cost a penny
• penny ante
• penny arcade
• penny candy
• penny dreadful
• penny loafer
• penny-pinching
• penny stock
• penny whistle
• penny-wise
• penny-wise and/but pound-foolish
• ten a penny
• the penny drops
• worth every penny

Kids Definition

penny

noun

pen·​ny ˈpen-ē 

plural pennies

-ēz

or pence ˈpen(t)s 

1

a

: a British unit of money formerly equal to ¹⁄₂₄₀ pound but now equal to ¹⁄₁₀₀ pound

b

: a coin representing this unit

2

plural pennies : cent

3

: a sum of money

earn an honest penny