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

BCA Research analysts see Mexico’s stocks, peso and bond markets poised to outperform peers.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The beleaguered peso has gained 5% against the dollar this year while Milei’s government widened the trading bands and added reserves.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

However, a rate reduction is a possibility due to subdued growth and recent strength in the Mexican peso, they said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

President Gustavo Petro, who has not achieved his stated goal for a negotiated "total peace" in Colombia, has called for a multi-billion peso investment in drone defense systems.

From Barron's • Jan. 29, 2026

Every peso he spends on food cannot go toward the phone cards.

From "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario