p
1 Americanabbreviation
abbreviation
noun
plural
P's, Ps, p's, ps-
the sixteenth letter of the English alphabet, a consonant.
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any spoken sound represented by the letter P or p, as in pet, supper, top, etc.
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something having the shape of a P .
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a written or printed representation of the letter P or p.
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a device, as a printer's type, for reproducing the letter P or p.
abbreviation
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Education. (as a rating of student performance) passing.
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Chess. pawn.
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Electronics. plate.
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poor.
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Grammar. predicate.
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Protestant.
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the 16th in order or in a series.
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(sometimes lowercase) the medieval Roman numeral for 400.
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Genetics. parental.
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Chemistry. phosphorus.
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Physics.
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Chemistry. proton.
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Biochemistry. proline.
abbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
abbreviation
-
page.
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part.
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participle.
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past.
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Chess. pawn.
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penny; pence.
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per.
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Grammar. person.
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peseta.
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peso.
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pint.
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pipe.
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Baseball. pitcher.
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pole.
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population.
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president.
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pressure.
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purl.
abbreviation
abbreviation
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pastor.
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peseta.
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peso.
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post.
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president.
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pressure.
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priest.
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prince.
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progressive.
symbol
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chem phosphorus
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physics
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pressure
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power
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parity
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poise
-
-
(on road signs) parking
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chess pawn
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currency
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(the former) peseta
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peso
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pataca
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pula
-
abbreviation
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Portugal (international car registration)
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pharmacy only: used to label medicines that can be obtained without a prescription, but only at a shop at which there is a pharmacist
abbreviation
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page
-
part
-
participle
-
past
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per
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post
-
pro
symbol
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(in Britain) penny or pence
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music piano: an instruction to play quietly
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pico-
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physics
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momentum
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proton
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pressure
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noun
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the 16th letter and 12th consonant of the modern English alphabet
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a speech sound represented by this letter, usually a voiceless bilabial stop, as in pig
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to be careful to behave correctly and use polite or suitable language
prefix
Etymology
Origin of p1
From the Italian word piano
Origin of p.8
From the Latin word pater
Origin of p.9
From the Italian word piano
Origin of p.10
From the Latin word post
Origin of P.12
From the Latin word Pater
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Rajadhyaksha points out there is a “remarkably consistent pattern p st most geopolitical conflicts …of an initial shock…then a grind back as economic fundamentals reassert themselves.”
From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026
Today, p tau217 testing can help doctors diagnose Alzheimer's in patients who already have cognitive impairment.
From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2026
"It's political with a small p - there's enough that roots us in the real world but the world is too complicated to link it directly and I think it would be inappropriate."
From BBC • Aug. 20, 2025
It also recognizes “the fundamental role” of soccer’s international governing body, FIFA, and the important role of regional and national soccer federations, as well as relevant associations, in p romoting the game.
From Seattle Times • May 7, 2024
"P, p, p," Sam sounded in a whisper.
From "All About Sam" by Lois Lowry
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.