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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some of their lawyers haven’t been paid a penny, and those lawyers are OK with that. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 July 2026 In prison, workers earn as little as pennies a day, and much of those earnings go toward purchasing necessities like postage and hygiene supplies at canteens, where prices have risen along with inflation. Amber Gaudet july 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026 Netflix’s earnings came in at 80 cents per share, a penny ahead of the Street’s consensus estimate of 79 cents per share. Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 17 July 2026 And Estonia, among the others that found couch pennies in the budget to put meals on the table, gratis. Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for penny

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of penny was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penny. Accessed 26 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural pennies
-ēz
or pence ˈpen(t)s How to pronounce penny (audio)
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

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