pen
1any of various instruments for writing or drawing with ink or a similar substance.
a detachable metal penpoint, filled by dipping or with a quill; nib.
such a penpoint with its penholder.
the pen as the instrument of writing or authorship: The pen is mightier than the sword.
a person's style or quality of writing: He writes with a witty, incisive pen.
a writer: I leave this story to abler pens.
the profession of writing: a master of the pen.
a pen-shaped device having a cartridge filled with a drug or medication: an insulin pen with disposable needles.
Computers. stylus (def. 3).
Ornithology.
a quill.
a pinfeather.
something resembling or suggesting a feather or quill.
Zoology. an internal, corneous or chitinous, feather-shaped structure in certain cephalopods, as the squid.
to write with or as with a pen; put down in writing: to pen an essay.
to draw with or as with a pen: to pen a sketch.
Origin of pen
1Other words from pen
- pen·like, adjective
- pen·ner, noun
Other definitions for pen (2 of 7)
a small enclosure for domestic animals.
animals so enclosed: We have a pen of twenty sheep.
to confine in or as in a pen.
Origin of pen
2Other definitions for pen (3 of 7)
Origin of pen
3Other definitions for pen (4 of 7)
a female swan.
Origin of pen
4Other definitions for pen- (5 of 7)
variant of pene- before a vowel: penannular.
Other definitions for Pen. (6 of 7)
peninsula.
Other definitions for P.E.N. (7 of 7)
International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use pen in a sentence
Educated voters will not be allowed to share pens, as the commission said it would encourage them to bring personal pens.
Where necessary, the commission will provide pens in polling booths that will be routinely sanitized.
There are even electronics like iPhone and iPod docking stations and an assortment of pricey pens intended for the pontiff.
Pope Francis Raffles Off His Swag to Help the Poor | Barbie Latza Nadeau | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThey say history is written by the victors, but what if the victims are the ones with the pens?
How the Vikings Saved Europe and Got a Terrible Reputation | William O’Connor | September 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe specifically defends the use of “gestation crates”— tiny pens where pregnant pigs live before giving birth.
The Sleazy War on the Humane Society | Center for Public Integrity | August 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Porky pulled out his check-book and begun to scribble with one of them squirt-gun pens.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher | Eleanor GatesPaper, pens, and ink were so poor that the bulky and awkward tablets were used by preference for all but the longest letters.
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone JohnstonThe pen (calamus) was made of a reed brought to a point and cleft much as our quill pens are.
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone JohnstonUpon it they wrote with pens made of split reeds and with a thick ink made of soot (lampblack) mixed with resinous gums.
The Private Life of the Romans | Harold Whetstone JohnstonCommon ink does not dry quick enough, and rapidly corrodes the drawing pens.
An Introduction to Machine Drawing and Design | David Allan Low
British Dictionary definitions for pen (1 of 6)
/ (pɛn) /
an implement for writing or drawing using ink, formerly consisting of a sharpened and split quill, and now of a metal nib attached to a holder: See also ballpoint, fountain pen
the writing end of such an implement; nib
style of writing
the pen
writing as an occupation
the written word: the pen is mightier than the sword
the long horny internal shell of a squid
(tr) to write or compose
Origin of pen
1British Dictionary definitions for pen (2 of 6)
/ (pɛn) /
an enclosure in which domestic animals are kept: sheep pen
any place of confinement
a dock for servicing submarines, esp one having a bombproof roof
(tr) to enclose or keep in a pen
Origin of pen
2British Dictionary definitions for pen (3 of 6)
/ (pɛn) /
US and Canadian informal short for penitentiary (def. 1)
British Dictionary definitions for pen (4 of 6)
/ (pɛn) /
a female swan
Origin of pen
4British Dictionary definitions for PEN (5 of 6)
/ (pɛn) /
International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists
British Dictionary definitions for Pen. (6 of 6)
Peninsula
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with pen
see slip of the lip (pen).
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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