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

Said is seeking unspecified monetary damages in the lawsuit, filed Friday in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, Central District. — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

The college’s Career Closet program accepts monetary donations and new clothes. — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2026

Oil prices bounced around before finishing higher Tuesday while global stocks were mixed as markets awaited a key inflation report expected to influence upcoming monetary policy decisions. — Betty Nguyen, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

In that case, lawyers reportedly were hit with monetary sanctions of about $16,000. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 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