Real Dictionary

pawn
countable noun: If you say that someone is using you as a pawn, you mean that they are using you for their own advantage.
countable noun: In chess, a pawn is the smallest and least valuable playing piece. Each player has eight pawns at the start of the game.
verb: If you pawn something that you own, you leave it with a pawnbroker, who gives you money for it and who can sell it if you do not pay back the money before a certain time.

pawn in American English 1
anything given as security, as for a debt, performance of an action, etc.; pledge; guaranty
noun: the state of being deposited or held as security, esp. with or by a pawnbroker
transitive verb: to deposit as security, as for money borrowed, esp. with a pawnbroker

pawn in American English 2
a chessman of the lowest value: it can be moved only forward and one square at a time (or two squares on its first move)
noun: one of eight men of one color and of the lowest value, usually moved one square at a time vertically and capturing diagonally

pawn in British English 1
to deposit (an article) as security for the repayment of a loan, esp from a pawnbroker
noun: an article deposited as security

pawn in British English 2
noun: a chessman of the lowest theoretical value, limited to forward moves of one square at a time with the option of two squares on its initial move: it captures with a diagonal move only