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
Jan StrutherExamples 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
That kind of edgelordism has become the currency du jour in the GOP, from the Ivy League through the streets of Minnesota.
—Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Following a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency in late December, protests erupted by shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar.
—Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
The sculptor contracted to build the statue, Alan Cottrill, soon called in a $90,000 debt the crypto bros owed for using his work to market their digital currency.
—Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
At a time when attention is a currency, creating a space that’s focused on elevating AAPI voices will help diversify the media landscape.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for currency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Laura K. Field, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2026
Following a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency in late December, protests erupted by shopkeepers in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar.
—Hamid Kashani, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
The sculptor contracted to build the statue, Alan Cottrill, soon called in a $90,000 debt the crypto bros owed for using his work to market their digital currency.
—Joe Wilkins Published Feb 5, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
At a time when attention is a currency, creating a space that’s focused on elevating AAPI voices will help diversify the media landscape.
—Anthony Solorzano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for currency
Cite this Entry
“Currency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currency. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
currency
noun
cur·ren·cy
ˈkər-ən-sē
ˈkə-rən-
plural currencies
1
: common use or acceptance
2
: money in circulation
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