penny
1 of 2noun
pen·ny ˈpe-nē 
plural pennies ˈpe-nēz or pence ˈpen(t)s
or pence ˈpen(t)s often attributive
1
a
: a monetary unit of the United Kingdom formerly equal to ¹/₂₄₀ pound but now equal to ¹/₁₀₀ pound
b
: a similar monetary unit of any of various other countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations see pound at Money Table
c
: a coin representing one penny
2
: denarius
3
plural pennies : cent
4
: a former monetary unit equal to ¹/₁₀₀ Irish pound
5
: a trivial amount
6
: a piece or sum of money
that will cost a pretty penny
-penny
2 of 2adjective combining form
: being a (designated) nail size
an eightpenny nail
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 What spelled the end of Ryan's long stay in Atlanta was the Falcons' dalliance with Deshaun Watson, who eventually agreed to a trade to Cleveland after the Browns guaranteed every penny of his new $230 million contract. Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 Glenn said Okudah and Harris will not rotate once regular season games begin Sept. 11, but whoever does not win the starting job will play in dime and penny packages. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 24 Aug. 2022 The penny-less slip-on silhouette adds an understated style element to any look. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2022 That’s a pittance for Watson, who signed a record-breaking contract with the Browns this spring for five years and $230 million, with every penny fully guaranteed. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 If Congress can allow wealthy Wall Street executives to get a generous tax break, then every penny that our teachers spend for their students should be deductible. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 It must be backed up with every penny of funding Congress promised in the first place. Deborah Wince-smith, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 After dropping another penny on Wednesday, prices have now declined for fifty-eight days in a row, reflecting a sizable drop in the price of crude oil on world markets. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
Noun
Though more expensive than most gyros in town, Georgie’s Gyros at Andros Taverna — your Readers’ Choice Best Restaurant of 2022 — are huge and worth every penny. Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2022 What spelled the end of Ryan's long stay in Atlanta was the Falcons' dalliance with Deshaun Watson, who eventually agreed to a trade to Cleveland after the Browns guaranteed every penny of his new $230 million contract. Fox News, 26 Aug. 2022 Glenn said Okudah and Harris will not rotate once regular season games begin Sept. 11, but whoever does not win the starting job will play in dime and penny packages. Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, 24 Aug. 2022 The penny-less slip-on silhouette adds an understated style element to any look. Madeline Fass, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2022 That’s a pittance for Watson, who signed a record-breaking contract with the Browns this spring for five years and $230 million, with every penny fully guaranteed. Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Aug. 2022 If Congress can allow wealthy Wall Street executives to get a generous tax break, then every penny that our teachers spend for their students should be deductible. Michelle Singletary, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2022 It must be backed up with every penny of funding Congress promised in the first place. Deborah Wince-smith, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 After dropping another penny on Wednesday, prices have now declined for fifty-eight days in a row, reflecting a sizable drop in the price of crude oil on world markets. John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English penning, penig; akin to Old High German pfenning, a coin
Adjective combining form
penny; perhaps from the original price per hundred
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing penny
Kids Definition
penny
noun
pen·ny ˈpe-nē
plural pennies
ˈpe-nēz
1
: cent
2
or plural pence
ˈpens
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