currency

noun

cur·ren·cy | \ ˈkər-ən(t)-sē

, ˈkə-rən(t)-\

plural currencies

Definition of currency

1a : 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

2a : 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 Example Sentences Learn More about currency

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Synonyms for currency

Synonyms

bread [slang], bucks, cabbage [slang], cash, change, chips, coin, dough, gold, green, jack [slang], kale [slang], legal tender, lolly [British], long green [slang], loot, lucre, money, moola (or moolah) [slang], needful, pelf, scratch [slang], shekels (also sheqels), tender, wampum

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

Baseball has long struggled for currency in urban areas, prompting a series of Major League Baseball initiatives to drive inner-city participation. — Alex Putterman, courant.com, "Connecticut Little Leagues forced to adjust amid youth baseball participation decline," 10 July 2019 Cap space is one of the most valuable currencies in today’s NBA. — Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, "Timberwolves appear to be saving for a big 2020 offseason," 10 July 2019 As such, Hong Kong has its own legal system, currency, and police force -- as well as historical, cultural, and lifestyle differences to the mainland. — Jessie Yeung, CNN, "Family feuds and social media spats: The generational divide that's splitting apart Hong Kong," 9 July 2019 For critics who doubted Love’s talent and viewed her as nothing more than a gold digger or a groupie, seeing her compete with, and have success alongside, Eddie Vedder, Beck, and Trent Reznor, as well as Cobain, gave her and Hole currency. — Lisawhill, Longreads, "Live Through This: Courtney Love at 55," 9 July 2019 But advocates have seized on the idea of a decentralized, cryptographically secure database for uses beyond currency. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "The WIRED Guide to the Blockchain," 9 July 2019 Be sure to have some local currency with you throughout the trip to purchase small items from roadside vendors and merchants. — Anquanette Gaspard, Essence, "Live It Up: Get On Badder Than Bad at St. Lucia Carnival 2019," 9 July 2019 The sanctions are designed to cut off all North Korean exports, 90 percent of its trade, and disband its pool of workers sent abroad to earn hard currency. — Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, "North Korea says US is 'hell-bent on hostile acts' despite peace talks," 5 July 2019 Come learn about the economy, financial fitness and historical currency. — Kaitlyn Bancroft, The Know, "Bored and broke? Here are 10 things to do around Denver for $10 or less," 2 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'currency.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near currency

Statistics for currency

Last Updated

13 Jul 2019

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Time Traveler for currency

The first known use of currency was in 1624

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More Definitions for currency

currency

noun

Financial Definition of currency

What It Is

Currency is a medium of exchange for goods or services within an economy.

How It Works

Currency can be either fiat or tied to an underlying asset. Fiat money has no intrinsic value and is backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing government. That is, this type of currency is not worth very much in terms of its value as a raw material. Most paper money is fiat money, and its value comes from what it represents rather than what it is. Asset-backed currencies tied to gold, silver or other valuable commodities are rare in present day markets.

Why It Matters

Currency serves an important role in an economy, and has three universally accepted economic advantages: it acts as a medium of exchange, a store of value, and a standard of value. Meaning it allows buyers and sellers to quickly arrive at comparative prices instead of The definition of currency on InvestingAnswers haggling over how many of one good is worth compared to an unlimited number of others.

It is important to remember, though, that fiat money is only as good as the organization that issues it. If the entity defaults, the currency is worthless.

Source: Investing Answers

currency

noun