pony

noun

po·​ny ˈpō-nē 

plural ponies

1

a

: a small horse

especially : one of any of several breeds of very small stocky animals noted for their gentleness and endurance

b

: a bronco, mustang, or similar horse of the western U.S.

c

: racehorse

—usually used in plural

2

: something smaller than standard: such as

a

: a small beer glass

b

: a small liqueur glass typically holding one ounce

3

: a literal translation of a foreign language text

especially : one used surreptitiously by students in preparing or reciting lessons

Examples of pony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Humane Society staff is also caring for about 165 horses, several ponies and red-eared sliders who are still at the sanctuary, according to the organization. —Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2026

Create the slick front with a pomade to keep hair smooth and prevent fly-aways, and pull curls into a simple low pony. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 5 May 2026

Dick Van Patten taught you how to bet on the ponies? —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026

Around 165 horses and ponies discovered at the site were being evaluated and cared for at the 40-acre sanctuary. —Karen Kucher, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of French poulain colt, from Old French pulain, perhaps from Medieval Latin pullamen young animal, from Latin pullus — more at foal

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pony

• cow pony
• dog and pony show
• one-trick pony
• pony express
• pony up
• Shetland pony
• Welsh mountain pony
• Welsh pony

Rhymes for pony

• agree
• allee
• banshee
• beastly
• bibi
• bowsprit
• carefree
• cerci
• chablis
• cowpea
• crappie
• crappy

Kids Definition

pony

noun

po·​ny ˈpō-nē 

plural ponies

1

: a small horse

especially : a horse of any of several breeds of very small compact animals

2

: a word-for-word translation of a foreign language text