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

Investors monitored the talk for clues on what lies ahead for the Fed’s monetary policy agenda. — Chloe Taylor,liz Napolitano, CNBC, 1 July 2026

Beerkus and Nikolau were released without bail, in accordance with New York laws that restrict when monetary bail can be set. — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

The central bank has been trying to normalize monetary policy lately after decades of keeping interest rates near or below zero. — ABC News, 1 July 2026

In addition to the monetary compensation and scholarship awards, pageantry is also helping the girls build confidence and learn key behavioral skills. — Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 3 July 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