plural ponces
1
British : pimp
2
British, offensive : a gay man
used as a term of abuse and disparagement

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ponce was in 1872

Dictionary Entries Near ponce

Cite this Entry

“Ponce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponce. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Geographical Definition

Ponce

geographical name

Pon·​ce ˈpȯn(t)-(ˌ)sā How to pronounce Ponce (audio)
city and port on the Caribbean Sea in southern Puerto Rico population 166,327

More from Merriam-Webster on ponce

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