currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 

ˈkə-rən(t)-

plural currencies

1

a

: circulation as a medium of exchange

b

: general use, acceptance, or prevalence

a story gaining currency

c

: the quality or state of being current : currentness

needed to check the accuracy and currency of the information

2

a

: something (such as coins, treasury notes, and banknotes) that is in circulation as a medium of exchange

b

: paper money in circulation

c

: a common article for bartering

Furs were once used as currency.

d

: a medium of verbal or intellectual expression

… neither side possessed any currency but clichés …

—Jan Struther

Synonyms

• cash
• money
• coin

Examples of currency in a Sentence

A new currency has been introduced in the foreign exchange market.

They were paid in U.S. currency.

Furs were once traded as currency.

The word has not yet won widespread currency.

I'm not sure about the accuracy and currency of their information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Most Americans living overseas either earn in one currency and spend in another, or earn in one currency but save, invest or have expenses in another. —Tom Zachystal, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

The results put it ahead of its high street rival H&M, which saw sales gain 1 percent in constant currency in its second quarter, ending May 31. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 10 Sep. 2025

Trust is the new currency of innovation, especially with AI. —Diane Brady, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

Consider Turkey, where the president’s unconventional, illogical view that lower interest rates would tame inflation has led to a yearslong price spiral and the collapse of the country’s currency. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

curr(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing currency

• fractional currency
• hard currency

Rhymes for currency

• concurrency
• eurocurrency

Kids Definition

currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən-sē 

ˈkə-rən-

plural currencies

1

: common use or acceptance

2

: money in circulation