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

In an era of rapid artificial intelligence expansion, power grid stability impacts not just energy costs, inflation, and monetary policy, but stands as a vital pillar of national competitiveness. — CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

He was arrested later that day after the robbery and was released with non-monetary conditions after pleading not guilty. — Colin Mixson, New York Daily News, 24 Sep. 2026

Being cut off from access to the pool, fitness center and tennis or pickleball courts can be more distressing for some residents than monetary penalties. — Michael L. Hyman, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026

That has led to a surge in cheap imports, squeezing labor-intensive industries like manufacturing and retail already struggling under Milei's spending cuts and tight monetary policy. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 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