pence

American  

[pens] / pɛns /

noun

British.

1. a plural of penny; used in referring to a sum of money rather than to the coins themselves (often used in combination).

   sixpence; The fare was 15 pence.

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pence British  

/ pɛns /

noun

1. a plural of penny

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Usage

Since the decimalization of British currency and the introduction of the abbreviation p, as in 10p, 85p, etc, the abbreviation has tended to replace pence in speech, as in 4p ˌfɔːˈpiː , 12p ˌtwɛlvˈpiː , etc

Other Word Forms

• penceless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of pence

1275–1325; Middle English pens, pans

Example Sentences

That work helped produce a rocking economy, and while Mr. Pence was never front and center, word of his role got out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is pursuing the Pence model: Put your head down, do the work, let the results speak.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Striker Pence homered for Santiago and Troy Randall had two hits.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Murphy was on the mound in the seventh to strike out Pence and get the save.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

Bute made a munificent offering of Peter's Pence to the Pope, who in turn presented him with a magnificent reliquary.

From John Patrick, Third Marquess of Bute, K.T. A Memoir by Blair, David Hunter