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
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
: being a (designated) nail size
an eightpenny nail
Examples of penny in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
This fictional Maine town first appeared in The Dead Zone, served as the setting for Needful Things, and has popped up repeatedly like a bad penny in King’s work over the years.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
This allows state jails and prisons nationwide to employ incarcerated people by force to earn pennies per hour — for manufacturing jobs, firefighting, maintenance work, and more, according to the ACLU.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Calvin Klein Layne Loafers Softer and less structured than the penny style but just as classic, these driving loafers from Calvin Klein will be a timeless addition to your shoe collection.
—Esme Benjamin, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penny 
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Noun
First created in his basement in 1928, H.B. Reese, an employee of Hershey, initially coined the chocolate candy penny cups since that was the price for one candy.
—Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Nov. 2024
This fictional Maine town first appeared in The Dead Zone, served as the setting for Needful Things, and has popped up repeatedly like a bad penny in King’s work over the years.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2024
This allows state jails and prisons nationwide to employ incarcerated people by force to earn pennies per hour — for manufacturing jobs, firefighting, maintenance work, and more, according to the ACLU.
—Kiara Alfonseca, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2024
Calvin Klein Layne Loafers Softer and less structured than the penny style but just as classic, these driving loafers from Calvin Klein will be a timeless addition to your shoe collection.
—Esme Benjamin, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for penny
Articles Related to penny
Dictionary Entries Near penny
Cite this Entry
“Penny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penny. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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