denomination

noun de·nom·i·na·tion \ di-ˌnä-mə-ˈnā-shən \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of denomination

1 : an act of denominating

the denomination of prices in U.S. dollars

2 : a value or size of a series of values or sizes

metric denominations

; especially : the value of a particular coin or bill

bills in $20 and $50 denominations

3 : name, designation; especially : a general name for a category

listed under the general denomination of gifts

4 : a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices

people from several different Christian denominations

—

denominational

play \-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl\ adjective

—

denominationally

adverb

See denomination defined for English-language learners

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Examples of denomination in a Sentence

People from several different religious denominations participated in the event.
Methodists, Baptists, and other Christian denominations.
It's one of the more conservative denominations.
The kidnappers asked for bills in small denominations.
The gift certificates are available in $5 and $10 denominations.
She spoke with people of many different political denominations.

Recent Examples of denomination from the Web

Some American liberals today—especially the secular, who are often ignorant of intra-religious conflicts—have a tendency to see the Christian right as typical of all politically active Christian denominations.

— linda gordon, The New Republic, "How birth-control leaders found allies in American religious groups," 5 Apr. 2018
Many of those synagogues now function as churches of different faith denominations or have been torn down.

— chicago tribune, chicagotribune.com, "Israel's Consul General to the Midwest talks to members from Skokie synagogue, Chicago's Herzl school after Lawndale tour," 2 Apr. 2018
The denominations, which jealously guard different sections of the church, held separate services one after another.

— Fox News, "Catholics celebrate Easter in ancient Jerusalem church," 1 Apr. 2018
The group consists of an estimated 40 faith leaders from all denominations and faith traditions, clergy and laity, youth and adult, who believe religious leaders should be more vocal in advocating for gun control.

— alec johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Two Shorewood High School students leading 50 Miles More march to Paul Ryan's hometown to protest gun laws," 23 Mar. 2018
First of all, the Mint creates coins in response to demand, and demand for small-denomination coins is soaring.

— WSJ, "Should the U.S. Retire the Penny and Nickel?," 18 Mar. 2018
Negative rates would be easier to implement, especially if high-denomination banknotes were abolished.

— The Economist, "A primer on blockchain-based versions of central-bank money," 15 Mar. 2018
Meanwhile, representatives of the newly dynamic Church in the global South—especially Africa, where Catholicism is in a pitched battle with charismatic and, often, prosperity-promising denominations—have hewed to traditionalism.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Will Pope Francis Cause a Schism in the Catholic Church?," 7 Sep. 2015
And both get to wear lots of bling—at least depending on the denomination.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Archive Dive / Film / Hip-Hop / Music / Religion How Don "Magic" Juan, king of the pimps, found Jesus and Hollywood quasi-celebrity," 22 Mar. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of denomination

see denominate

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

denomination Synonyms

Synonyms

appellation, cognomen, denotation, designation, handle, moniker (also monicker), name, nomenclature, title;

family name, maiden name, middle name, surname;

byname, diminutive, epithet, nickname, sobriquet (also soubriquet);

banner, rubric, tag;

alias, nom de guerre, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym;

binomial, monomial;

trivial name, vernacular;

misnomer;

brand name, label, trademark, trade name;

Financial Definition of DENOMINATION

denomination

noun

What It Is

Usually associated with currency, a denomination is the value specified on a monetary instrument.

How It Works

Denomination values are graduated and usually divisible by some common denominator (hence, 'denomination'). For example, in addition to the $1 bill, denominations of U.S. paper money include $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 notes, all divisible by 5.

Though denominations are generally discussed with regard to currency, financial instruments such as bonds are also generally issued in different denominations.

Why It Matters

Where currency is concerned, denominations provide the bearer with a range of values depending on how much money he or she will need to spend. In the case of financial instruments such as bonds, denominations provide investors with a range of values based on what they are able to afford.

Source: Investing Answers