shilling

Everyday

1. (history, UK) An old British coin worth 12 old pennies; 20 shillings made one pound. It was used until 1971, when British money became decimal. tree →
2. The money used today in some countries, such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia. tree →
3. (Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, history) An old coin in those places too. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, old British money is "pounds, shillings and pence" (£sd); a shilling was written "1s" or "1/-". In maths problems from old books: 1 pound = 20 shillings, 1 shilling = 12 pence, so 1 pound = 240 old pence. After 1971 a shilling became 5 new pence. In the news, the Kenyan shilling is Kenya's money. Phrases: a shilling, two shillings, the Kenyan shilling, take the King's shilling (join the army).

Examples

• Before 1971, a shilling was worth 12 pennies. tree →
• There were 20 shillings in a pound. tree →
• The milk cost one shilling. tree →
• Kenya uses the Kenyan shilling. tree →
• Grandad remembers buying sweets for a shilling. tree →
• In old maths books, sums are in pounds, shillings and pence. tree →
• Very likely thou art a lucky shilling. tree →

Note

Countable: a shilling, shillings. Old written forms: 2s, 2/-. In maths: 1 pound = 20 shillings; 1 shilling = 12 old pence; after decimal money, 1 shilling = 5p.