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

Inflation is a policy choice of currency devaluation by governments that saps the wealth of earners, along with the investment behind the creation of all wealth. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025

Experts on Chinese production have told The Hill that a 10 to 20-percent tariff could largely be absorbed by the country through a combination of currency devaluation, private sector subsidies and margin adjustments. —Tobias Burns, The Hill, 2 Apr. 2025

Except that those same dollars are spent on labor and inputs necessary to produce whatever American good will supposedly be rendered more competitive by devaluation. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025

This is, in part, about the degradation, devaluation, and replacement of writers. —Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 9 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