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

Many are employing a strategy known as the carry trade, where an investor borrows in a low-yielding currency to roll the funds into a higher-yielding emerging-market asset, such as local bonds, and pockets the difference. — Ira Iosebashvili, WSJ, "Yield-Hungry Investors Revive ‘Carry Trade’ in Emerging Markets," 8 Apr. 2019 But the race for 30 large cities, 51 provincial capitals and hundreds of districts were held as Turkey grapples with a weakened currency, a double-digit inflation rate and soaring food prices. — Zeynep Bilginsoy, The Seattle Times, "Turkey’s ruling party leads local elections but loses Ankara," 31 Mar. 2019 Europe has begun to understand that there is a growing backlash against the very policies, including a unified currency and open borders, that were intended to draw the people of Europe together. — Steven Erlanger, New York Times, "For Europe, Cutting the Flow of Migrants Challenges Basic Ideals," 5 July 2018 The unique, anonymous nature of cryptocurrency — a currency without a country — has raised concerns about the potential for fraud and abuse, too. — Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Bitcoin ATMs showing up in odd spots across metro Detroit," 28 June 2018 Freidel says the rise in artistic depictions of cacao may not necessarily indicate increased importance as a currency. — Joshua Rapp Learn, Science | AAAS, "The Maya civilization used chocolate as money," 27 June 2018 Ironically, the continuing slide of sterling relative to other currencies could possibly have helped things—thanks to a declining exchange rate, the project only needed $31 million this week instead of $33 million back in October. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, "Bad news for the 1,000mph car as Bloodhound SSC is shut down," 11 Dec. 2018 The first tranche on August 7 targeted Iran’s ability to purchase or acquire US dollar banknotes, trade in gold and precious metals, and make transactions related to the Iranian rial, the country’s currency. — Alex Ward, Vox, "The US will impose new sanctions on Iran next week," 2 Nov. 2018 And now with his new wife on his arm, Harry’s currency just hit the jackpot. — Juliet Rieden, Town & Country, "Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Tour of Australia Is Crucial to the Future of the Monarchy," 1 Nov. 2018

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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Statistics for currency

Last Updated

18 May 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