monetary

adjective

mon·​e·​tary ˈmä-nə-ˌter-ē 

also ˈmə-

: of or relating to money or to the mechanisms by which it is supplied to and circulates in the economy

a crime committed for monetary gain

a government's monetary policy

monetarily

ˌmä-nə-ˈter-ə-lē 

also ˌmə-

adverb

Synonyms of monetary

• financial
• economic
• fiscal

Examples of monetary in a Sentence

a crime committed for monetary gain

Gold was once the basis of the U.S. monetary system.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, the citation was in regard to explaining irreparable harm, meaning a type of harm that monetary damages can’t cure and one that applies to college athletes who miss games, practices and other opportunities for NFL development that will never be replayed or reenacted. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 June 2026

But nobody has duplicated his monetary success—or built two separate businesses that are so wildly profitable. —Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026

The family seeks damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, psychological harm, humiliation, property damage and other monetary losses, along with costs and other relief deemed appropriate by the court. —Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026

The official also made clear that Iran will not be getting any monetary compensation in return. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin monetarius of a mint, of money, from Latin moneta

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monetary

• monetary aggregate
• monetary unit

Rhymes for monetary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

Kids Definition

monetary

adjective

mon·​e·​tary ˈmän-ə-ˌter-ē 

also ˈmən-

: of or relating to money

this administration's monetary policy