currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 

ˈkə-rən(t)-

plural currencies

1

a

: circulation as a medium of exchange

b

: general use, acceptance, or prevalence

a story gaining currency

c

: the quality or state of being current : currentness

needed to check the accuracy and currency of the information

2

a

: something (such as coins, treasury notes, and banknotes) that is in circulation as a medium of exchange

b

: paper money in circulation

c

: a common article for bartering

Furs were once used as currency.

d

: a medium of verbal or intellectual expression

… neither side possessed any currency but clichés …

—Jan Struther

Synonyms of currency

• cash
• money
• coin

Examples of currency in a Sentence

A new currency has been introduced in the foreign exchange market.

They were paid in U.S. currency.

Furs were once traded as currency.

The word has not yet won widespread currency.

I'm not sure about the accuracy and currency of their information.

Recent Examples on the Web

Base money, the sum of currency and those reserve balances, expands one for one with the purchase. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

There are also signs that some currency traders are rebuilding bearish bets on the yen, as the impact of the intervention has faded. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026

The suspect in a 2022 homicide believed there was a large amount of currency hidden in a chicken stand on Foothill Boulevard, but killed a man only to make off with a paltry $110, according to police. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026

In addition, brokers and financial intermediaries routed payments to offshore counterparties to allow Chinese citizens to use domestic currency to purchase property abroad or to trade overseas investment for foreign visas and passports. — Alvin Camba, Foreign Affairs, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

curr(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing currency

• fractional currency
• hard currency

Rhymes for currency

• concurrency
• eurocurrency

Kids Definition

currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən-sē 

ˈkə-rən-

plural currencies

1

: common use or acceptance

2

: money in circulation