cash

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
: ready money
2
: money or its equivalent (such as a check) paid for goods or services at the time of purchase or delivery

cash

2 of 4

adjective

: being a method of accounting that includes as income only what has been received and as expenses only those paid compare accrual

cash

3 of 4

verb

cashed; cashing; cashes

transitive verb

1
: to pay or obtain cash for
cash a check
2
: to lead and win a bridge trick with (a card that is the highest remaining card of its suit)
cashable adjective

cash

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural cash
1
: any of various coins of small value in China and southern India
especially : a Chinese coin with a square hole in the center
2
: a unit of value equivalent to one cash

Illustration of cash

Illustration of cash
  • 4cash 1

Examples of cash in a Sentence

Verb The store wouldn't cash the check. He cashed his paycheck at the bank.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
In cash, this same room would cost you $13,249, including taxes and fees. Harrison Pierce, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2024 Saturday's Powerball drawing boasted a jackpot of $600 million with a cash option of $285.9 million. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 17 Mar. 2024 The company has more than $170 billion in cash on its balance sheet and its net income is expected to top $100 billion this year. Jeran Wittenstein, Fortune, 16 Mar. 2024 The current Mega Millions jackpot is worth an estimated $875 million, with a cash option of $413.5 million. Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Mar. 2024 Still, the fake meat industry is not in a great place, and Bezos’s investment comes at a time when other cash infusions have shriveled. Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 15 Mar. 2024 There’s also a gentle reminder for cash or trash donations, which will help support the artists’ livelihoods or at least contribute to the next sculpture in the park. Jonah Gercke, SPIN, 15 Mar. 2024 Its take on a boonie includes some sharp details, such as a zip pocket for handy storage (an easy place to keep some cash or a key) in addition to providing good sun coverage. William Goodman, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 At least some of that cash went to Poston's marketing company, called J2 Media. Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 6 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Total revenues and gifts were $230 million in fiscal 2023, down from $288 million last year, largely owing to fewer donations of cash and non-cash assets, offset by higher investment returns. Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Dec. 2023 London, 38, who dated the late rapper from 2013 up until his death, will be awarded 50% of cash and non-cash assets on behalf of Kross. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 1 Nov. 2023 Although this type of reporting has historically been limited to pure cash transactions, the infrastructure bill extended the requirement to digital assets which are–ironically–treated as non-cash property by the IRS in general. Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2023 The restructuring program is expected to result in approximately $130 million in cash charges related to severance and other exit and restructuring activities and $80 million in non-cash charges. oregonlive, 11 Feb. 2022 About $365 million of non-cash charges will include a $291 million impairment related to its New York City flagship retail store, recognized during the first quarter. Lorraine Mirabella, baltimoresun.com, 8 Sep. 2020 So the rich hold a lot of non-cash bearing assets. Edward J. McCaffery, CNN, 26 Oct. 2021 The last time a task force looked at PILOT payments in the city was a decade ago and the community benefits, or non-cash, contributions will now be re-examined, with officials looking at how to make the program’s benefits most equitable. BostonGlobe.com, 14 June 2021 The ex-police officer was arrested on May 29, four days after Floyd died, but was released from jail on a $1 million non-cash bond in early October. Ella Lee, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2020
Verb
Your Wallet Best rewards and cash back credit cards | Your Wallet How to maximize your winter travel budget | Your Wallet Smart Investing Slide 1 of 21 What Nvidia's reversal means for investors Is there an AI bubble? Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 West led a trump, and Cy drew trumps and cashed five hearts, pitching his low clubs. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2024 Many people will be cashing five-figure bonus checks. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024 The regional manager told authorities that on Feb. 3, Stengel had cashed a $7,000 inheritance check before heading to work, and while at work showed several employees a large roll of cash, and that Ingram was one of those who saw the money. Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2024 Checking into the game with 5:11 left to give the Suns a lineup with five guys able to cash 3s and switch on defense, Gordon hit two clutch 3s with the latter tying the game, 115-115, with 45.4 seconds left. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 17 Jan. 2024 Once the checks are cashed, taxpayers may only apply for the voluntary disclosure program (VDP). Daniel Mayo, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 He’s cashed 73 of 195 3s for 37.4% with 114 assists to 61 turnovers. Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2024 Louie then drew trumps and let the queen of diamonds ride, and East produced the king and cashed his high spades. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cash.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

modification of Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French casse money box, from Old Italian cassa, from Latin capsa chest — more at case

Noun (2)

Portuguese caixa, from Tamil kācu, a small copper coin, from Sanskrit karṣa, a weight of gold or silver

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1622, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1811, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cash was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near cash

Cite this Entry

“Cash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cash. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cash

1 of 2 noun
1
: money in the form of coins or bills
2
: money or its equivalent (as a check) paid for goods at the time of purchase or delivery

cash

2 of 2 verb
: to pay or obtain cash for
cash a check
Etymology

Noun

from early French casse or early Italian cassa, both meaning "money box," from Latin capsa "chest, box" — related to case entry 2

Legal Definition

cash

noun
1
: ready money
2
: money or its equivalent (as a check) paid for goods or services at the time of purchase or delivery

More from Merriam-Webster on cash

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