1
: any of various former basic monetary units (as in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg)
2
the basic monetary unit of Switzerland and a number of especially sub-Saharan nations in Africa see Money Table

Examples of franc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Federation expects the year to finish even stronger than 2022, when the country’s watchmakers brought in a record 24 billion francs ($26.7 billion). Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023 According to the court documents, the collector bought the Patek for just 600,000 francs ($672,000). Tori Latham, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2023 Senegalese economist Ndongo Samba Sylla has called for the CFA franc to be abolished. Stephanie Busari, CNN, 1 Sep. 2023 The Swiss franc has gained more than 7% against the dollar in the last year, while the brand’s success has rapidly gained steam in the States. Byprarthana Prakash, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023 However, with business surveys suggesting input price pressures have eased, the franc having appreciated this year, and conditions in the labor market cooling,... WSJ, 18 July 2023 For example, few things have sparked more controversy than the Central African franc or CFA, a currency used by 14 nations in West and Central Africa including Niger and Gabon. Stephanie Busari, CNN, 1 Sep. 2023 In 1861, France annexed 80 percent of the principality’s historic dominion in exchange for 4 million francs and recognizing its existence. Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2023 Operating profit advanced 36% to 686 million francs in the first half, the maker of Omega and Longines watches said Thursday. Andy Hoffman, Fortune, 13 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'franc.' 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

French

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of franc was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near franc

Cite this Entry

“Franc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franc. Accessed 29 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

franc

noun
1
: the former basic unit of money of France and Belgium
2
: a basic unit of money (as of Switzerland)
3
: a coin representing one franc

More from Merriam-Webster on franc

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