Definition of pension

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< pensile

pension >

pen·sion¹    (pnshn) KEY 

NOUN:

A sum of money paid regularly as a retirement benefit or by way of patronage.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pen·sioned, pen·sion·ing, pen·sions

1. To grant a pension to.
2. To retire or dismiss with a pension: "Some French farmers suggest that the Government pension off the older and less efficient farmers" (E.J. Dionne, Jr.).

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English pensioun, payment, from Old French pension, from Latin pnsi, pnsin-, from pnsus, past participle of pendere, to weigh, pay; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
pension·a·ble(Adjective)