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

Kim and her pint-sized cutie get acquainted with a miniature pony. —Maria Yagoda, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

The chief animal protagonists in this story are two dogs and a polo pony. —Cressida Leyshon, The New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2024

Wearing a plaid Vivienne Westwood dress and knee-high black boots, Swift paired the unique beauty accessory with her classic red lip, high pony and gold jewelry. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024

At Little Massingham, though, there is birdsong in the air, including the clear, high notes of the nightingale; setting ponies, goats, and Tamworth pigs to cultivate old farmland has had remarkable results, with insects quadrupling in number. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 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