# peon

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈpiː.ən/ · frequency rank #65,397

## Definitions
1. A lowly person; a peasant or serf; a labourer who is obliged to do menial work.
2. A person of low rank or importance.
3. A messenger, foot soldier, or native policeman.

## Etymology
From a combination of Middle French pion, peon and Spanish peón, both from Late Latin pedōnem (“pedestrian”). Doublet of pawn.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/peon