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

The stock, which has steadily risen since the start of the year tracking the European bank rally, opened 1.9% higher at 441.45 pence.

From The Wall Street Journal

The existing tax, which mainly applies to fizzy drinks, will be applied to bottles and cartons of milk-based drinks, including milkshakes, flavoured milk, milk substitute drinks and lattes, adding a few pence to their cost.

From BBC

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC