peso

noun

pe·​so ˈpā-(ˌ)sō 

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

Since 2020, Cuba’s GDP has shrunk by 11%, while the value of the Cuban peso continues to fall. —Joseph J. Gonzalez, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026

Since 2020, Cuba’s GDP has shrunk by 11%, while the value of the Cuban peso continues to fall. —Joseph J. Gonzalez, The Conversation, 7 Jan. 2026

Chile is the world’s largest copper producer and a major producer of lithium, and expectations of less regulation and market-friendly policies have already buoyed the local stock market, peso and equity benchmark. —Reuters 31 Min Ago, CNN Money, 14 Dec. 2025

That strategy was pushed to the extreme in the run-up to the midterm elections as doubts about the trajectory of Milei's harsh austerity plan triggered a run on the peso. —Arkansas Online, 7 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

peso

noun

pe·​so ˈpā-sō 

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