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

The event was held at South County Regional Park in Boca Raton and featured a 1-mile walk followed by a carnival with axe throwing, rock climbing, a petting zoo, pony rides, face painting and more. —Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026

Families can also enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, and country store, plus the Easter bunny and egg hunts around the holiday. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 2026

The material’s appeal lies in its ability to balance heritage with modern polish; style a pony hair pump with tailoring, or a calf hair belt with a jacket for definitions. —Andrea Zendejas, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2026

And the cowboy hat, boots and toy pony behind him in the clip. —Shawn McFarland, Dallas Morning News, 9 Mar. 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