plural pencils
: an instrument used for writing and drawing that has a hard outer part and a black or colored center part
Use a pencil instead of a pen so you can erase your mistakes.
Write your answers in pencil. [=using a pencil]
—often used before another nouna pencil sketch
a pencil sharpener [=a device used to make the tip of a pencil sharp so that it can be used for writing]
a pencil case [=a small box for holding pencils and other small items, such as erasers]
plural pencils; US penciled or British pencilled; US penciling or British pencilling
: to draw or write (something) with a pencil
He penciled some notes on a piece of paper.
Cite this Entry
“Pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/pencil. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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