pony

noun

po·​ny ˈpō-nē 

plural ponies

1

a

: a small horse

especially : one of any of several breeds of very small stocky animals noted for their gentleness and endurance

b

: a bronco, mustang, or similar horse of the western U.S.

c

: racehorse

—usually used in plural

2

: something smaller than standard: such as

a

: a small beer glass

b

: a small liqueur glass typically holding one ounce

3

: a literal translation of a foreign language text

especially : one used surreptitiously by students in preparing or reciting lessons

Examples of pony in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There was also time for a long walk among the property, passing horses, goats, and ponies, swimming in the lagoon-style pool, and soaking in the onsen. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 31 Dec. 2024

Take a tethered hot air balloon ride, watch the ponies or duel a knight this weekend. —Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 21 Nov. 2024

Cuoco took to Instagram to share the 18-month-old riding her pony, Skye, in September. —Chiara Kim, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

The estate now extends over 50,000 acres, has 150 buildings and is used for several working purposes, including forestry, farmland and for keeping herds of deer, Highland cattle and ponies. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably from obsolete French poulenet, diminutive of French poulain colt, from Old French pulain, perhaps from Medieval Latin pullamen young animal, from Latin pullus — more at foal

First Known Use

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pony

• cow pony
• dog and pony show
• one-trick pony
• pony express
• pony up
• Shetland pony
• Welsh mountain pony
• Welsh pony

Kids Definition

pony

noun

po·​ny ˈpō-nē 

plural ponies

1

: a small horse

especially : a horse of any of several breeds of very small compact animals

2

: a word-for-word translation of a foreign language text