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
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Families are already getting squeezed by rising costs for everything from groceries to housing to utilities, and giant corporations institute ever-elaborate strategies and fees to get every last penny from consumers.
—Alex Jacquez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
South Florida gas prices are nearly a penny more than a month ago but nearly 55 cents lower than a year ago.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
In 1931, the family could only get a penny and a half for a bale of cotton.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penny
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Noun
Their right to collect what they’re entitled to based on their contributions is dependent on the system recording those payments and calculating their benefits accurately, to the last penny.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025
Families are already getting squeezed by rising costs for everything from groceries to housing to utilities, and giant corporations institute ever-elaborate strategies and fees to get every last penny from consumers.
—Alex Jacquez, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025
South Florida gas prices are nearly a penny more than a month ago but nearly 55 cents lower than a year ago.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2025
In 1931, the family could only get a penny and a half for a bale of cotton.
—Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for penny
Cite this Entry
“Penny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penny. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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