pen

/pɛn/

/pɛn/

Other forms: pens; penned; penning

A pen is an ink-filled tool that you use for writing or drawing. Doing a crossword puzzle with a pen shows a lot of self confidence, since you can't erase your answers.

Pen is also a verb meaning "to write," especially when you're writing something of literary value: "She's my favorite writer — I can't wait for her to pen another novel!" Then there's the pen that you keep your pet donkey safely inside (you can also say you pen him in there), and inspired by this "livestock enclosure" meaning there's also the slang for "penitentiary" or "jail."

Definitions of pen

1. noun

   a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
   types:

   Biro, ballpen, ballpoint, ballpoint pen

   a pen that has a small metal ball as the point of transfer of ink to paper

   Magic Marker, felt tip, felt-tip pen, felt-tipped pen

   a pen with a writing tip made of felt (trade name Magic Marker)

   fountain pen

   a pen that is supplied with ink from a reservoir in its barrel

   quill, quill pen

   pen made from a bird's feather

   Sharpie

   a pen with indelible ink that will write on any surface

   type of:

   writing implement

   an implement that is used to write
2. verb

   produce a literary work
   synonyms: compose, indite, write

   publish, write

   have (one's written work) issued for publication

   types:

   draw

   write a legal document or paper

   lyric

   write lyrics for (a song)

   write about, write of, write on

   write about a particular topic

   profile

   write about

   paragraph

   write paragraphs; work as a paragrapher

   paragraph

   write about in a paragraph

   write off

   write something fluently, and without hesitation

   dash off, fling off, knock off, scratch off, toss off

   write quickly

   rewrite

   rewrite so as to make fit to suit a new or different purpose

   write copy

   write for commercial publications

   adopt, dramatise, dramatize

   put into dramatic form

   draft, outline

   draw up an outline or sketch for something

   poetise, poetize, verse, versify

   compose verses or put into verse

   author

   be the author of

   annotate, footnote

   add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments

   cite, reference

   refer to

   write out, write up

   put into writing; write in complete form

   script

   write a script for

   relyric

   write new lyrics for (a song)

   metrify

   compose in poetic meter

   spondaise, spondaize

   make spondaic

   elegise, elegize

   compose an elegy

   sonnet

   compose a sonnet

   co-author

   be a co-author on (a book, a paper)

   ghost, ghostwrite

   write for someone else

   type of:

   create verbally

   create with or from words
3. noun

   an enclosure for confining livestock
   types:

   cattle pen, corral, cow pen

   a pen for cattle

   creep

   a pen that is fenced so that young animals can enter but adults cannot

   fold, sheep pen, sheepcote, sheepfold

   a pen for sheep

   holding paddock, holding pen, holding yard

   a pen where livestock is temporarily confined

   kraal

   a pen for livestock in southern Africa

   paddock

   pen where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race

   pinfold

   a pen where stray animals are confined

   rodeo

   an enclosure for cattle that have been rounded up

   pigpen, pigsty, sty

   a pen for swine

   type of:

   enclosure

   a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
4. noun

   a portable enclosure in which babies may be left to play
   synonyms: playpen

   type of:

   enclosure

   a structure consisting of an area that has been enclosed for some purpose
5. noun

   female swan
   type of:

   swan

   stately heavy-bodied aquatic bird with very long neck and usually white plumage as adult
6. noun

   a correctional institution for those convicted of major crimes
   synonyms: penitentiary

   type of:

   correctional institution

   a penal institution maintained by the government