poncho

noun pon·cho \ ˈpän-(ˌ)chō \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of poncho

plural ponchos

1 : a blanket with a slit in the middle so that it can be slipped over the head and worn as a sleeveless garment

2 : a waterproof garment resembling a poncho and having an integral hood

See poncho defined for English-language learners

See poncho defined for kids

Recent Examples of poncho from the Web

Zara, who is due to give birth this spring, wore an oversize olive poncho with jeans, sneakers and a baseball cap.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "Zara Tindall Covers Up Growing Baby Bump While Watching Prince William's Polo Match," 25 May 2018
While the poncho’s brightly colorful, made-in-Kenya cotton isn’t organic, the product is fair trade and carbon neutral at $78.

— tara duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, "Bay Area eco-fashion 101: Who, what and wear," 18 Apr. 2018
First, there was George W. Bush wearing a rain poncho at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

— megan mccluskey, Time, "George W. Bush Tearing Up the Dance Floor At This Wedding Is a True Sight to Behold," 27 Mar. 2018
That could also mean a poncho or sunscreen or a bottle of water.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "The retired Marine who ‘has the toughest job’ at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," 24 May 2018
The Packa poncho jacket and a My Trail Company Chrome Umbrella are especially well-suited for rainy, humid, and low-wind locations like the Eastern woodlands and Pacific Northwest.

— andrew skurka, Outside Online, "How to Pack for a Hike," 21 May 2018
You aren't allowed to carry an umbrella, so pack a light poncho for unexpected showers.

— taylor m. riley, The Courier-Journal, "What should I wear to the Kentucky Derby? Here's help in planning your hat, dress & more," 12 Apr. 2018
The length of the poncho suggests it’s designed to cover cleavage.

— wjbk-tv, BostonGlobe.com, "A Michigan school planned to make girls wear a ‘modesty poncho’ at prom if their dresses were too revealing," 1 May 2018
Fox also reports that there have been examples of the poncho placed around the school as visual aids to prepare all of the girls for the night-of.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Michigan School Will Hand Out “Modesty Ponchos” to Girls Who Violate Prom Dress Code," 1 May 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of poncho

American Spanish, from Mapuche

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1717

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

PONCHO Defined for English Language Learners

poncho

noun

Definition of poncho for English Language Learners

: a piece of clothing that is used as a coat and that is made of a single piece of cloth or plastic with a hole in the middle for a person's head to go through

PONCHO Defined for Kids

poncho

noun pon·cho \ ˈpän-chō \

Definition of poncho for Students

plural ponchos

: a garment that is like a blanket with a hole in the middle for the head

Learn More about poncho

Spanish Central: Translation of poncho Nglish: Translation of poncho for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poncho

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poncho

Definition of poncho

Recent Examples of poncho from the Web

Origin and Etymology of poncho

PONCHO Defined for English Language Learners

poncho

Definition of poncho for English Language Learners

PONCHO Defined for Kids

poncho

Definition of poncho for Students

Learn More about poncho

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poncho

Definition of poncho

Recent Examples of poncho from the Web

Origin and Etymology of poncho

PONCHO Defined for English Language Learners

poncho

Definition of poncho for English Language Learners

PONCHO Defined for Kids

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Definition of poncho for Students

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