(said to be a corruption of Pont-à-Pwll, Howell's Bridge), a market-town of England, in the county of Monmouth, stands in the midst of mountains, on a steep hill on the right bank of the Afon Llwyd, an affluent of the Usk, 19 miles S.W. of Monmouth, and 149 W. by N. of London. It is straggling and irregularly built, but contains many good houses and shops. The parish church, which stands on a hill about a mile from the town, is a fine building in the early English style, with a square embattled tower. The Wesleyans, Independents, Roman Catholics, and other sects, have also places of worship here. There are, besides, national and infant schools, a reading-room, and a savings-bank. The prosperity of the town is derived chiefly from the manufacture of iron and tin wares which is carried on here, and from the coal-pits and iron mines that are worked in the vicinity. From the rapid extension of these sources of employment, the population of the town and parish has also rapidly increased. Weekly markets and annual fairs are held at Pontypool; and there is some trade in iron and coal. Pop. (1851) 3708.