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

In that situation, shock absorbers ranging from Saudi Aramco’s export pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz to the vast sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) provide the buffers to prevent systemic stress on currency pegs or the banking system. —Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 19 Mar. 2026

The consulting giant said on Thursday revenue grew 4% in constant currency to $18 billion in the second quarter ended 28 February, beating consensus estimates compiled by Bloomberg. —James Booth, Bloomberg, 19 Mar. 2026

Do not comply when someone online requests money or other digital currency. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2026

This comes as rapid shifts in equities, currencies and commodities forced investors to unwind positions across global markets. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 18 Mar. 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