# pens

/ˈpɛnz/ (US) · /pˈɛnz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pens
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. writing tools

noun · CEFR A1

more than one tool used for writing or drawing with ink.

For teachers: the plural form of the instrument used for writing or drawing with ink, such as ballpoints or fountain pens.

- I always keep a few spare pens in my bag for exams.
- The calligrapher maintained a vast collection of specialized pens, each designed for a specific weight of stroke or type of ink flow.

### 2. animal enclosures

noun · CEFR B2

small fenced areas where animals like sheep or pigs are kept.

For teachers: small enclosures in which domestic animals are kept or confined.

- The farmer moved the young lambs into separate pens for the night.
- The livestock were sorted into holding pens before being loaded onto the transport vehicles for the regional market.

## Examples

- I need a blue pen to sign this form.
- The student reached into her bag and realized she had forgotten to bring any pens to the exam.
- While digital tablets are increasingly common in the classroom, many writers still prefer the tactile feedback of high-quality pens when drafting their initial thoughts on paper.

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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.