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
see also:
: being a (designated) nail size
an eightpenny nail
Cite this Entry
“Penny.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penny. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.
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