Read Next
Discover
poncho
clothing
News •
Poncho & Sea Biscuit’s great escape: Donkey and pony roam Tarrant County streets
• June 11, 2025, 6:14 PM ET (CBS)
poncho, article of clothing of ancient origin, a cloak made of a square or rectangle of cloth with a hole in the middle through which the wearer’s head protrudes. The original poncho, consisting of a rough, brightly coloured, handloomed cloth, was worn in early cultures of Latin America. Ponchos are worn with the edges hanging either parallel or diagonally, forming a diamond shape. The style also was adapted as rain gear, made of a waterproof material, and often hooded.