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
Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
An ode to the language of the penny, including songs like Pennies from Heaven.
—Kenny Malone, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
The higher costs are forcing many Americans to find yet another way to pinch pennies.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
The landlord walked away without a penny.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penny
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Noun
Earlier in the afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for portions of southeastern Dallas County into Saturday afternoon, with storms capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts and hail up to penny size, officials say.
—Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
An ode to the language of the penny, including songs like Pennies from Heaven.
—Kenny Malone, NPR, 13 Feb. 2026
The higher costs are forcing many Americans to find yet another way to pinch pennies.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 12 Feb. 2026
The landlord walked away without a penny.
—Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for penny
Cite this Entry
“Penny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penny. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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