pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn , ˈpän \

Definition of pawn

1 : one of the chessmen of least value having the power to move only forward ordinarily one square at a time, to capture only diagonally forward, and to be promoted to any piece except a king upon reaching the eighth rank

2 : one that can be used to further the purposes of another

Origin and Etymology of pawn

Middle English pown, from Anglo-French peoun, paun, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo foot soldier, from Latin ped-, pes foot — more at foot

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

pawn

noun

Definition of pawn

1 a : something delivered to or deposited with another as security for a loan

b : hostage

2 : the state of being pledged

3 : something used as a pledge : guaranty

4 : the act of pawning

Origin and Etymology of pawn

Middle English paun, from Middle French dialect (Walloon, Flanders) pan

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn

transitive verb

: to deposit in pledge or as security especially in exchange for money

—

pawner

play \ˈpȯ-nər, ˈpä-\ or less commonly pawnor play \ˈpȯ-nər, ˈpä-; pȯ-ˈnȯr, pä-\ noun

See pawn defined for English-language learners

Examples of pawn in a Sentence

She was forced to pawn her diamond ring.
he pawned his antique watch in order to pay off his gambling debt

First Known Use of pawn

circa 1566

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pawn Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

PAWN Defined for English Language Learners

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn for English Language Learners

: to give (something that you own) to a pawnbroker in exchange for money

PAWN Defined for Kids

pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn \

Definition of pawn for Students

1 : the piece of least value in the game of chess

2 : a person who has little power and is controlled by a more powerful person or group

pawn

verb

Definition of pawn for Students

pawned; pawning

: to leave as a guarantee of repayment for a loan

He pawned a watch.

Law Dictionary

pawn

noun \ ˈpȯn \

legal Definition of pawn

1 a : a pledge and transfer of possession of movable or personal property to a creditor which gives the creditor the privilege of satisfying the debt from the property (as by selling it) if the debt is not repaid within a specified time; also : the property pledged