pen·cil
ˈpen(t)-səl 
1
: an artist's brush
2
: an artist's individual skill or style
3
a
: an implement for writing, drawing, or marking consisting of or containing a slender cylinder or strip of a solid marking substance
b
: a small medicated or cosmetic roll or stick for local applications
4
: a set of geometric objects each pair of which has a common property
the lines in a plane through a point comprise a pencil of lines
5
: something (such as a beam of radiation) long and thin like a pencil
penciled or pencilled; penciling or pencilling
ˈpen(t)-s(ə-)liŋ
1
: to paint, draw, write, or mark with a pencil
2
: to plan or designate tentatively
—used with in
penciled him in as the nominee
Examples of pencil in a Sentence
Noun
Use a pencil instead of a pen so you can erase your mistakes.
Verb
He penciled some notes on a piece of paper.
Recent Examples on the Web
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The pages are filled with notes written in pencil, which, perhaps fortuitously, fades more quickly.
—Alexis Wright, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024
While the ideal plan includes outfielder Juan Soto getting penciled into manager Carlos Mendoza's lineup, there's plenty of competition for his services.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pencil 
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Noun
What Video Shows Antar has created sculptures of work boats, a pencil, jeans, Oreos, a burger, chips and boxing gloves.
—Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The pages are filled with notes written in pencil, which, perhaps fortuitously, fades more quickly.
—Alexis Wright, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Verb
The discount is usually in the buyer’s favor, as the cost of an accurate restoration and finding NOS (new old stock) parts rarely pencils out.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 Dec. 2024
While the ideal plan includes outfielder Juan Soto getting penciled into manager Carlos Mendoza's lineup, there's plenty of competition for his services.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pencil
Articles Related to pencil
Dictionary Entries Near pencil
Cite this Entry
“Pencil.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pencil. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pencil
1 of 2 noun
pen·cil
ˈpen(t)-səl
1
: an instrument for writing, drawing, or marking consisting of or containing a slender cylinder or strip of a solid marking substance
2
: something like a pencil in form or use
an eyebrow pencil
pencil
2 of 2 verb
penciled or pencilled; penciling or pencilling
ˈpen(t)-s(ə-)liŋ
: to mark, draw, or write with or as if with a pencil
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pensel "an artist's brush, pencil," from early French pincel (same meaning), derived from Latin penicillus, literally, "little tail" — related to penicillin see Word History at 3pen
Medical Definition
pencil
noun
pen·cil
ˈpen(t)-səl
1
: a small medicated or cosmetic roll or stick for local applications
a menthol pencil
2
: an aggregate of rays of radiation (as light) especially when diverging from or converging to a point
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