peso

noun

pe·​so ˈpā-(ˌ)sō How to pronounce peso (audio)
ˈpe-
plural pesos
1
: an old silver coin of Spain and Spanish America equal to eight reales
2
the basic monetary unit of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay see Money Table

Examples of peso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each ride costs five pesos, which is roughly 20 cents. Kylie Madry, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2023 The government alleged Rappler was involved in selling securities through Philippine depository receipts, and thus skipped out on paying over 600,000 pesos — some $11,000 — in taxes. Regine Cabato, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 During a hearing Friday, the doctor agreed to pay Weaver’s family 3.3 million pesos, or about $193,970. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Aug. 2023 Armoring a truck with the basics, like steel plates, takes 60 to 70 days, the work of five to six welders and mechanics and costs roughly two million pesos, or about $117,000, according to security experts. Emiliano Rodríguez Mega, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2023 This price adjustment was prompted by a primary election outcome that triggered a rapid peso devaluation and a subsequent interest rate hike. Fox News, 18 Aug. 2023 The October election will be key for policy affecting Argentina’s huge farm sector, one of the world’s top exporters of soy, corn and beef, the peso currency and bonds, and ongoing talks over a $44 billion debt deal with the International Monetary Fund. Reuters, CNN, 14 Aug. 2023 Cattle ranchers reported hundreds of deaths and millions of pesos in losses as their animals collapsed from heat exhaustion, unable to hydrate properly. Cesar Rodriguez Elda Cantú, New York Times, 6 July 2023 Balintang seaweed farmers earn 20,000 to 40,000 Philippine pesos ($358 to $715) a month, compared to about 5,000 pesos made by small-scale fishermen Unlike fishing and rice farming – both capital and labor-intensive – seaweed provides an income every 45 days, the typical cultivation cycle. Mariejo Ramos, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peso.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, weight, from Latin pensum — more at poise

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peso was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near peso

Cite this Entry

“Peso.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peso. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

peso

noun
pe·​so ˈpā-sō How to pronounce peso (audio)
plural pesos
1
: an old silver coin of Spain or Spanish America
2
a
: the basic unit of money of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay
b
: a coin or bill representing one peso

More from Merriam-Webster on peso

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