pony

noun

po·​ny ˈpō-nē How to pronounce pony (audio)
plural ponies
1
a
: a small horse
especially : one of any of several breeds of very small stocky animals noted for their gentleness and endurance
b
: a bronco, mustang, or similar horse of the western U.S.
c
: racehorse
usually used in plural
2
: something smaller than standard: such as
a
: a small beer glass
b
: a small liqueur glass typically holding one ounce
3
: a literal translation of a foreign language text
especially : one used surreptitiously by students in preparing or reciting lessons

Examples of pony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The event highlighted local artists, authors and businesses and included painting, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides and more. La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025 In Europe, there was also the option of a 4.2-liter V-8, which dialed up the ponies to 286 but came with the four-speed automatic as standard and the manual gearbox as an option. Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 24 June 2025 Make like Jane Austen once did on a day trip from the city with her family and strike out to the New Forest, the southernmost national park in Britain where semi-wild ponies roam freely on its grassy commons. Lottie Gross, AFAR Media, 3 June 2025 Get Outside See Wild Ponies At Grayson Highlands State Park, set off on a scenic hike to spot its famous free-roaming wild ponies. Erin Gifford, Southern Living, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pony

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of French poulain colt, from Old French pulain, perhaps from Medieval Latin pullamen young animal, from Latin pullus — more at foal

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pony was in 1659

Cite this Entry

“Pony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pony. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pony

noun
po·​ny ˈpō-nē How to pronounce pony (audio)
plural ponies
1
: a small horse
especially : a horse of any of several breeds of very small compact animals
2
: a word-for-word translation of a foreign language text

More from Merriam-Webster on pony

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