peso

[ pey-soh; Spanish pe-saw ]

noun

, plural pe·sos [pey, -sohz, pe, -saws].

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.

peso

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of peso¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of peso¹

C16: from Spanish: weight, from Latin pēnsum something weighed out, from pendere to weigh

Example Sentences

The peso slumped to a two-year low Wednesday against the dollar amid fears that Trump will follow through on his tariff pronouncements.

From Los Angeles Times

Last week, the peso lost value after polling showed that the former president had taken a slight lead in several swing states.

From Los Angeles Times

When Milei assumed the presidency, he promised shock therapy, devaluing the peso by 50% and cutting the number of government ministries by half.

From BBC

The peso has plunged amid concerns that the reform could discourage foreign investment.

From Los Angeles Times

The plan, which critics say would politicize the judiciary and give even more power to the ruling Morena party, has spooked markets, with the peso registering its steepest weekly decline against the dollar since 2020.

From Los Angeles Times