peso

American  

[pey-soh, pe-saw] / ˈpeɪ soʊ, ˈpɛ sɔ /

noun

plural

pesos

1. a coin and monetary unit of Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Mexico, and the Philippines, equal to 100 centavos.

2. a coin and monetary unit of Uruguay, equal to 100 centesimos.

3. a former monetary unit of Argentina, equal to 100 centavos: replaced by the austral in 1985.

4. a former silver coin of Spain and Spanish America, equal to eight reals; dollar; piece of eight; piaster.

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peso British  

/ ˈpeso, ˈpeɪsəʊ /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit, comprising 100 centavos, of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Philippines; formerly also of Guinea-Bissau, where it was replaced by the CFA franc

2. the standard monetary unit of Uruguay, divided into 100 centesimos

3. another name for piece of eight

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Etymology

Origin of peso

< Spanish: literally, weight < Latin pēnsum something weighed, noun use of neuter of pēnsus, past participle of pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

Appeared in the October 10, 2025, print edition as 'Why Won’t President Milei Let Go of the Peso?'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

Where did the idea come from to have Tiësto remix your song “Morena” with Peso Pluma?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

We recorded it, sent it to Peso and he liked it, so it became an official remix with us three on it.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

How did the collaboration “La Patrulla” come together with Peso Pluma?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 4, 2025

Peso gave him to me when—never mind when.

From Bransford of Rainbow Range Originally Published under the title of Bransford in Arcadia, or, The Little Eohippus by Rhodes, Eugene Manlove