currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən(t)-sē How to pronounce currency (audio)
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

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 The local currency lost more than half its value to the US dollar in June, and the country owes billions of dollars in debt arrears. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 13 Sep. 2023 What to know: The museum’s collection will soon grow to include an authentic manilla, a metal bracelet used as a form of currency in slave trading, said Marian Michaelis, the museum’s executive director. Darcel Rockett, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2023 Japan is already enjoying a surge in tourist arrivals, due to the weak currency. Patrick Frater, Variety, 11 Sep. 2023 The dollar has gained about 5 percent over the past few weeks against the currencies of major trading partners, a sharp move in that market, suggesting that investors are piling into U.S. assets as growth in China falters and the outlook for Europe is underwhelming. Joe Rennison, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2023 But there is no disputing the notion that in good times and bad, the Patriots are now the top team in town — dominating sports conversation and emotional fan currency that once went to the local baseball team. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2023 That was its second-weakest closing level on record based on data going back to 2010, when China began to allow offshore currency trading. WSJ, 7 Sep. 2023 The peso’s emergence as one of the world’s mightiest currencies has prompted boasts from Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Elvia Limón, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2023 Denmark’s central bank has responded by keeping interest rates below those set by the European Central Bank, discouraging foreigners from buying krone and reducing the value of the currency. Hanna Ziady, CNN, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'currency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

curr(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of currency was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near currency

Cite this Entry

“Currency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currency. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

currency

noun
cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən-sē How to pronounce currency (audio)
ˈkə-rən-
plural currencies
1
: common use or acceptance
2
: money in circulation

More from Merriam-Webster on currency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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