# pen

/ˈpɛn/ (US) · /pˈɛn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pen
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. writing tool

noun · CEFR A1

a tool that uses ink to write or draw on paper.

For teachers: an instrument for writing or drawing with ink, typically consisting of a metal nib or ball point fitted into a metal or plastic holder.

- He reached into his pocket to find a pen so he could sign the document.
- The executive signed the multi-million dollar contract with a vintage fountain pen, a gift from his father upon his graduation.

### 2. animal enclosure

noun · CEFR B1

a small area with a fence around it used for keeping animals like sheep or pigs.

For teachers: a small enclosure for livestock or other domestic animals.

- The farmer kept the young lambs in a separate pen near the barn.
- The sheep were gathered into a holding pen while the veterinarian performed the annual health inspections.

### 3. medical injector

noun · CEFR B2

a device shaped like a pen used to give yourself medicine, like insulin.

For teachers: a medical device designed to deliver a specific dose of medication via a needle, often used for insulin or epinephrine.

- She always carries an insulin pen in her bag in case her blood sugar gets too high.
- The patient was instructed on how to use the epinephrine pen immediately if they experienced any signs of an allergic reaction.

### 4. prison

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang · American English

a slang word for a prison.

For teachers: a shortened form of 'penitentiary', used to refer to a state or federal prison.

- He spent five years in the pen before being released for good behavior.
- After a decade in the state pen, the former inmate struggled to adapt to the rapid technological changes of the outside world.

### 5. female swan

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the name for a female swan.

For teachers: the adult female of the swan.

- The pen sat on her nest while the male swan guarded the area.
- Ornithologists observed the pen carefully tending to her cygnets while the cob patrolled the perimeter of the lake.

### 6. to write

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal · Literary

to write something, especially a letter or a book.

For teachers: to compose and write a text; often used in formal or literary contexts.

- She decided to pen a short note to thank her hosts for the lovely weekend.
- The poet spent his final years in a secluded cottage, where he penned his most celebrated collection of sonnets.

### 7. to shut in

verb · CEFR B2

to put animals into a small fenced area.

For teachers: to confine or shut in an animal or person within an enclosure.

- The cattle were penned up for the night to keep them safe from predators.
- The protesters felt penned in by the heavy police presence at the edge of the square.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'up' as 'pen up'.

## Examples

- I need a blue pen to sign this letter.
- The student reached into her bag and realized she had forgotten to bring a pen to the exam.
- While digital tablets are increasingly common in the classroom, many educators still advocate for the tactile feedback provided by a high-quality fountain pen during long-form writing exercises.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.