pendulum |
a weight hung on a long cord, wire, or lever so that it swings back and forth. Pendulums are used to control the movements of some clocks. |
penetrate |
to pierce or go into or through. [2 definitions] |
penguin |
a large water bird with webbed feet that lives in colder regions of the Southern Hemisphere. Penguins do not fly, but use their wings like flippers for swimming. |
penicillin |
a kind of mold that is used to make medicines. Penicillin kills some kinds of bacteria that cause diseases. |
peninsula |
a piece of land surrounded on nearly all sides by water. It is connected to a larger body of land by a usually narrow strip of land. |
penis |
the male sex organ through which sperm is transferred to a female. The penis is also used to dispose of urine. |
penitentiary |
a prison for people who have been found guilty of serious crimes. |
penknife |
a small folding knife. |
penmanship |
the art, skill, or manner of handwriting. |
pen name |
a name used by authors in place of their real names. |
pennant |
a long flag shaped like a triangle. Pennants are used on ships for signaling or as a sign for a school, team, or some other group. |
penniless |
having no money at all; very poor. |
Pennsylvania |
a state in the eastern United States. Its capital is Harrisburg. (abbreviated: PA) |
penny |
a coin of the United States and Canada equal to one cent. [2 definitions] |
pension |
money paid at regular times by a former employer to a person who has retired, or by the government to a person who is not able to work. |
pentagon |
a flat closed figure with five straight sides. [2 definitions] |
penthouse |
an apartment or house built on the top floor or roof of a tall building. |
peony |
a garden plant with large pink, red, or white flowers. [2 definitions] |
people |
human beings; persons. [5 definitions] |
pep |
(informal) lively energy or spirit. [2 definitions] |
pepper |
a spice that comes from the dried berries of tropical vines in southeast Asia. [4 definitions] |