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

Domestic headwinds are also likely to cap the peso’s overall performance.

From The Wall Street Journal

In October, the U.S. provided Argentina with a $20 billion swap, helping President Javier Milei contain a run on the peso ahead of a crucial midterm election that his party went on to win.

From The Wall Street Journal

Argentina’s central bank said Monday it would allow the peso to move more freely, responding to investors who have demanded President Javier Milei’s government correct an overvalued currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

Treasury would backstop the peso if voters gave the coalition the support the Argentinian president needs to govern over the next two years.

From The Wall Street Journal

They also point to strict limits on how many pesos that firms can exchange into foreign currencies.

From BBC