devaluation

noun

de·​val·​u·​a·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

1

: an official reduction in the exchange value of a currency by a lowering of its gold equivalency or its value relative to another currency

2

: a lessening especially of status or stature : decline

Examples of devaluation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As traditional financial systems face increasing uncertainty, Bitcoin's role as both a technological innovation and a potential hedge against currency devaluation continues to strengthen its appeal to a growing investor base. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Currency devaluation is likely to be more of an active consideration across emerging markets, particularly in Asia, said Nick Rees, head of macro research at Monex Europe. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025

In the second quarter of 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery took a $9.1 billion charge against earnings related to the devaluation of the company’s TV networks. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 4 June 2025

Farmers had reacted to the 1972 devaluation of the dollar — when President Richard Nixon ended the Bretton Woods international payments system — by bidding up land prices year after year. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 27 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing devaluation

• pre-devaluation

Rhymes for devaluation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Legal Definition

devaluation

noun

de·​val·​u·​ation (ˌ)dē-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: an official reduction in the exchange value of a currency by a lowering of its gold equivalency or its value relative to another currency

2

: a lessening of the value of something (as an asset)

portfolio devaluation