pence

[pens]

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.

pence

/ pɛns /

noun

1. a plural of penny

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pence¹

1275–1325; Middle English pens, pans

Example Sentences

The group declared an interim dividend of 2.5 pence, up from 2 pence in the comparable period of last year.

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The bank cuts its stock recommendation to sell from neutral and raises its target price to 80 pence from 72 pence.

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Ofcom's rules require companies to tell customers how much their bills will rise by in pounds and pence before their contract starts.

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The bank maintains its hold rating and lowers it target price to 80 pence from 85 pence.

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They stated companies had to tell customers how much their bill would rise by "in pounds and pence" before they signed up.

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