penny

noun, often attributive pen·ny \ ˈpe-nē \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of penny

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

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

See penny defined for English-language learners

See penny defined for kids

Recent Examples of penny from the Web

Supporters of the children’s health insurance program KidsCare introduced a bill this year to eliminate a requirement that the state freeze enrollment if federal funding for the program drops by as little as a penny.

— mary jo pitzl, The Republic | azcentral.com, "Is KidsCare headed for another enrollment freeze?," 16 Apr. 2018
And having the flexibility to eat on her own terms is worth every penny.

— janelle nanos, BostonGlobe.com, "Food delivery right to your dorm door: How some campus dining halls are competing with GrubHub," 5 Apr. 2018
Palisades Collection was in the business of purchasing debts from creditors at pennies on the dollar with the hope of fully collecting on the debt, according to the lawsuit.

— melanie grayce west, WSJ, "Debt-Collection Firm Settles Class-Action Lawsuit," 31 Mar. 2018
The eggs are expensive, but worth every penny raised through donations.

— michelle matthews, AL.com, "Blind students participate in 'beeping' Easter egg hunt at Mobile school," 29 Mar. 2018
And that's not just a good line: Entireworld's goods won't cost the same pretty penny as Band of Outsiders', with oxfords retailing for $95, T-shirts starting at $30, and socks and underwear for $20 and under.

— sam schube, GQ, "The Brain Behind Band of Outsiders Is Back," 28 Mar. 2018
Typically, the goal is to force a financial settlement on plaintiffs at pennies on the dollar in a settlement.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "Is the Sandy Hook massacre the real impetus behind the Remington Arms bankruptcy?," 27 Mar. 2018
Those women will now have to line up behind the studio’s secured creditors — who themselves are likely to be paid pennies on the dollar, according to bankruptcy lawyers.

— brooks barnes, New York Times, "Weinstein Company Files for Bankruptcy and Voids Nondisclosure Pacts," 19 Mar. 2018
Last month the median daily transaction fee—which had been just pennies prior to 2017—peaked at $34.

— timothy b. lee, Ars Technica, "Major payment company: “Fewer and fewer use cases” for bitcoin payments," 24 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'penny.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of penny

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

-penny

adjective combining form

Definition of -penny

: being a (designated) nail size

an eightpenny nail

Origin and Etymology of -penny

penny; perhaps from the original price per hundred

PENNY Defined for English Language Learners

penny

noun

Definition of penny for English Language Learners

: a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a dollar
: a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a British pound
: a British coin used before 1971 that was equal to 1/12 of a shilling

PENNY Defined for Kids

penny

noun pen·ny \ ˈpe-nē \

Definition of penny for Students

plural pennies \ˈpe-nēz\

1 : cent

2 or plural pence\ˈpens\ : a coin of the United Kingdom equal to ¹/₁₀₀ pound

Learn More about penny

See words that rhyme with penny Spanish Central: Translation of penny Nglish: Translation of penny for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of penny for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up penny? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

penny

Definition of penny

Recent Examples of penny from the Web

Origin and Etymology of penny

-penny

Definition of -penny

Origin and Etymology of -penny

PENNY Defined for English Language Learners

penny

Definition of penny for English Language Learners

PENNY Defined for Kids

penny

Definition of penny for Students

Learn More about penny

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

penny

Definition of penny

Recent Examples of penny from the Web

Origin and Etymology of penny

-penny

Definition of -penny

Origin and Etymology of -penny

PENNY Defined for English Language Learners

penny

Definition of penny for English Language Learners

PENNY Defined for Kids

penny

Definition of penny for Students

Learn More about penny

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes