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

"We're hopeful there will be further reductions amounting to several pence a litre in the coming days," said Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

"As things stand, we'd expect petrol and diesel to drop by several pence a litre in the next week or so," he added.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Shares are down 4.65% at 324 pence, and are down 40% over the past 12 months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The London-listed group declared a dividend of 21.79 pence a share and announced a larger-than-usual 1.2 billion-pound share buyback program on the back of the U.S. deal.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 2026

"Nine hundred and ninety-nine pounds and fifty pence," the father said.

From "Matilda" by Roald Dahl