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

When inflation rises, central banks often respond by tightening monetary policy. —Allen Buchanan, Oc Register, 14 Mar. 2026

What is now happening in the markets and with the monetary system is consistent with that template. —Ray Dalio, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026

The case has become a test of the Fed's ability to set monetary policy without political interference from the White House. —Scott Horsley, NPR, 13 Mar. 2026

After being in on the Nakobe Dean sweepstakes up until the very end with the highest monetary offer on the table, the former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker chose to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders. —Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Mar. 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
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

monetary

adjective

mon·​e·​tary ˈmän-ə-ˌter-ē 

also ˈmən-

: of or relating to money

this administration's monetary policy