1
a
: a small enclosure for animals
b
: the animals in a pen
a pen of sheep
2
: a small place of confinement or storage
3
: a protected dock or slip for a submarine
4
1
: an implement for writing or drawing with ink or a similar fluid: such as
a
: quill
b
c
: a penholder containing a pen point
d
e
2
a
: a writing instrument regarded as a means of expression
enlisted the pens of the best writers—
F. H. Chase
F. H. Chase
b
: writer
3
: the internal horny feather-shaped shell of a squid
4
5
: a medical device for injecting drugs that resembles a fountain pen, contains a cartridge prefilled with usually several doses of medication, and when designed for multiple injections has a needle that is replaced after each use
insulin pens
People accidentally exposed to a food culprit can use the pen to inject themselves with a dose of epinephrine—also known as adrenaline—to avoid a severe allergic reaction.—Walecia Konrad
Walecia Konrad
: a female swan
peninsula
International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists
Examples of pen in a Sentence
Verb (1)
remember to pen up the dogs when visitors come over
Noun (1)
a goat pen
Noun (2)
Alexander Hamilton is reckoned to be the pseudonymous pen behind two thirds of the Federalist Papers
Verb (2)
though relatively unknown at the time of his death, the composer had penned some of the most memorable show tunes of his era
Noun (4)
earned six years in a federal pen
Recent Examples on the Web
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Kevin Williamson, who penned the original 1996 movie, is back as well, this time directing a script he co-wrote with Guy Busick.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the girl who steals pens, is a fan of Cardi B and John Cena, who partied so hard in college that her college advisor had to have a chat with her?
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pen
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show current usage.
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Verb
As far as their action capabilities, Sheridan previously penned Sicario and its sequel, while Berg directed espionage thriller Mile 22, war film Lone Survivor, and action-comedy Spenser Confidential.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
Kevin Williamson, who penned the original 1996 movie, is back as well, this time directing a script he co-wrote with Guy Busick.
—Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
How did that song challenge your pen compared to the other tracks on Chronosick?
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 28 Oct. 2025
However, the girl who steals pens, is a fan of Cardi B and John Cena, who partied so hard in college that her college advisor had to have a chat with her?
—Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pen
Cite this Entry
“Pen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pen. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pen
1 of 5 noun1
: a small enclosure for animals
2
: a small place of confinement or storage
pen
2 of 5 verb
penned; penning
: to shut in a pen
pen
3 of 5 noun
: an instrument for writing or drawing with ink
pen
4 of 5 verb
penned; penning
: to write especially with a pen
pen
5 of 5 noun
slang
Etymology
Noun
Middle English
Noun
Middle English penne "a writing instrument made from a bird's feather," from early French penne "a bird's feather, pen," from Latin penna, pinna "feather"
Noun
a shortened form of penitentiary
Word Origin
The words pen and pencil look very much alike, and the writing instruments themselves have much in common. But these two words are not at all related. Pen can be traced back to the Latin word penna or pinna, meaning "feather." The early pens were made of long feathers trimmed to a point to hold ink. In time, pens came to be made with metal points and later with rolling balls instead of points. For this reason we no longer associate the word pen with feathers. Pencil can be traced to the Latin word penicillus, which meant "little tail" or "brush." (It also gave us our word penicillin.) The first pencils were artists' brushes that had fine hairs drawn to a point, like the tail of a tiny animal. From these first pencils, used for painting fine lines, the word came to be used for other instruments used to draw marks. Some pencils were sticks of charcoal. Others were sticks of slate or lead. Still others were sticks of colored material like crayons. In time, we began using our modern wood and graphite pencils, which are not at all like the original "little tails."
Medical Definition
pen
noun
: a medical device for injecting drugs that resembles a fountain pen, contains a cartridge prefilled with usually several doses of medication, and when designed for multiple injections has a needle that is replaced after each use
Note: Medical pens are either disposable or reusable depending on whether the cartridge can be removed and replaced with a new prefilled one.
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas can no longer produce insulin and patients must give themselves multiple daily injections with insulin pens or syringes …—The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)
The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)Illinois law allows schools to keep epinephrine pens around, and nurses or trained staff are allowed to use them in an emergency.—Mike Riopell, The Chicago Daily Herald
Mike Riopell, The Chicago Daily HeraldLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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