A corruption of the word "Owned." This originated in an online game called Warcraft, where a map designer misspelled "owned." When the computer beat a player, it was supposed to say, so-and-so "has been owned."
Instead, it said, so-and-so "has been pwned."
It basically means "to own" or to be dominated by an opponent or situation, especially by some god-like or computer-like force.
"Man, I rock at my job, but I stillgot a bad evaluation. I was pwned."
The word "pawned" is sometimes used for the exaggeration and boasting of a won game of chess. It can also be used by a player with a significantly advantageous position that feels the urge to taunt or aggravate his or her opponent.
To completely fail as a man in either terms of video games, driving, BBQing, or any other event that a real MAN would never lose to a chick.
Me: F**k that guy can out drift me any day.. Friend: you know that's a chick driving right? Me: BULLSHIT!!!! Friend: How does it feel to be pwned by a chick!?!
The word pawned is frequently thought of as a mispelling of pwned or pwnd, and this is likely true. However there is much debate as to the pronunciation of this word. People could have a scientific discussion as to whether to use the vowel cluster "aw" or "ow" however that would waste much time. Since people sound gay when they say "powned", so it is generally accepted as "pawned" and means to own something, but not in a literal sense, such as a prison bitch.
1. I pawned your grandmother last night in a game of strip poker 2. We certainly pawned that blind kid in CS:S