peso

noun

pe·​so ˈpā-(ˌ)sō 

ˈpe-

plural pesos

1

: an old silver coin of Spain and Spanish America equal to eight reales

2

the basic monetary unit of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay see Money Table

Examples of peso in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The low cost of living is accentuated by the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Colombian peso, which is currently working in the dollar-holder’s favor. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

By comparison, the 2024 wage of 249 pesos per day was valued at $14.25 when announced in December 2023. —Jason Fields, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

Both the Mexican peso and Canadian dollar weakened as well. —Neil Irwin, Axios, 26 Nov. 2024

Court documents say Juarez-Francisco planned to pay Witt 250,000 Mexican pesos to be smuggled into the U.S. (about $12,000 U.S. dollars), and Olivera-Antonio planned to pay 220,000 Mexican pesos (about $10,600). —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 31 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, weight, from Latin pensum — more at poise

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

peso

noun

pe·​so ˈpā-sō 

plural pesos

1

: an old silver coin of Spain or Spanish America

2

a

: the basic unit of money of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Philippines, and Uruguay

b

: a coin or bill representing one peso