pension

1 of 2

noun

pen·​sion ˈpen(t)-shən 

1

ˈpen(t)-shən  : a fixed sum paid regularly to a person:

a

archaic : wage

b

: a gratuity granted (as by a government) as a favor or reward

c

: one paid under given conditions to a person following retirement from service or to surviving dependents

2

\ päⁿ-​ˈsyōⁿ \ [French, from Middle French]

a

: accommodations especially at a continental European hotel or boardinghouse : room and board

b

or less commonly pensione

pen(t)-ˈsyō-(ˌ)nā 

[pensione, from Italian] : a hotel or boardinghouse especially in continental Europe

pensionless

ˈpen(t)-shən-ləs 

adjective

pension

2 of 2

verb

pensioned; pensioning ˈpen(t)-sh(ə-)niŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to grant or pay a pension to

2

: to dismiss or retire from service with a pension

pensioned off his faithful old servant

Examples of pension in a Sentence

Noun

Her pension arrives in the mail every month.

retired people living on their pensions

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

To begin to answer this question, evaluate your retirement income sources, including Social Security, pensions and personal savings. —Bruce Helmer and Peg Webb, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2025

Between the lines: Federal employees with decades of service fear that pushing back against the administration — especially if asked to compromise security — could cost them their pensions and retirement benefits, the former cyber official said. —Sam Sabin, Axios, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

Springfield Tier 2 legislation could add billions more to pension debt. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

How much will pension payments drop in 2023? —Phoebe Wall Howard, USA TODAY, 8 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin pension-, pensio, from pendere to pay — more at pendant

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pension

• pension fund
• pension off
• pension plan
• pension scheme

Kids Definition

pension

1 of 2 noun

pen·​sion ˈpen-chən 

: a sum paid regularly to a person especially following retirement or to surviving dependents

pension

2 of 2 verb

pensioned; pensioning ˈpench-(ə-)niŋ 

: to pay a pension to

Legal Definition

pension

noun

pen·​sion

: money paid under given conditions to a person following retirement or to surviving dependents see also defined benefit plan, defined contribution plan