pen

verb (1)

\ ˈpen

penned; penning

Definition of pen

(Entry 1 of 8)

transitive verb

: to shut in or as if in a pen The cattle were penned behind a wooden fence.

pen

noun (1)

Definition of pen (Entry 2 of 8)

1a : 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 : bull pen sense 2

pen

noun (2)

Definition of pen (Entry 3 of 8)

1 : an implement for writing or drawing with ink or a similar fluid: such as

a : quill

b : pen point

c : a penholder containing a pen point

d : fountain pen

e : ballpoint pen

2a : a writing instrument regarded as a means of expression enlisted the pens of the best writers— F. H. Chase

b : writer

3 : the internal horny feather-shaped shell of a squid

4 : stylus sense d

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

pen

verb (2)

penned; penning

Definition of pen (Entry 4 of 8)

transitive verb

: write, indite pen a letter

pen

noun (3)

Definition of pen (Entry 5 of 8)

: a female swan

pen

noun (4)

Definition of pen (Entry 6 of 8)

: penitentiary

pen

abbreviation (1)

Definition of pen (Entry 7 of 8)

peninsula

PEN

abbreviation (2)

Definition of PEN (Entry 8 of 8)

International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists

First Known Use of pen

Verb (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Noun (4)

1881, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for pen

Verb (1)

Middle English pennen, from Old English -pennian

Noun (1)

Middle English, perhaps from pennen

Noun (2)

Middle English penne, from Anglo-French, feather, pen, from Latin penna, pinna feather; akin to Greek pteron wing — more at feather

Noun (3)

origin unknown

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More Definitions for pen

pen

noun

\ ˈpen

Kids Definition of pen

(Entry 1 of 4)

: an instrument for writing with ink

pen

verb

penned; penning

Kids Definition of pen (Entry 2 of 4)

: to write especially with a pen Who penned this poem?

pen

noun

Kids Definition of pen (Entry 3 of 4)

: a small enclosure especially for animals

pen

verb

penned; penning

Kids Definition of pen (Entry 4 of 4)

: to shut in a small enclosure

pen

Definition of pen

First Known Use of pen

History and Etymology for pen

Kids Definition of pen

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