monetary

adjective

mon·​e·​tary ˈmä-nə-ˌter-ē 

also ˈmə-

: of or relating to money or to the mechanisms by which it is supplied to and circulates in the economy

a crime committed for monetary gain

a government's monetary policy

monetarily

ˌmä-nə-ˈter-ə-lē 

also ˌmə-

adverb

Synonyms of monetary

• financial
• economic
• fiscal

Examples of monetary in a Sentence

a crime committed for monetary gain

Gold was once the basis of the U.S. monetary system.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, a Bloomberg Economics analysis found that the figure is far more modest, that most of the investments are spread out over several years, that many are mutual trade commitments rather than direct monetary payments, and that most will not go directly to the federal government's coffers. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Test your knowledge on flowery flair and monetary marvels in this week's American Culture Quiz. —Staff, FOXNews.com, 28 Nov. 2025

Think about taking a worldview that incorporates everything from geopolitical events to monetary and fiscal policy and macroeconomic data points. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025

Transforming Nations Ford is accepting physical donations as we as online monetary donations. —Charlotte Observer, 27 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin monetarius of a mint, of money, from Latin moneta

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing monetary

• monetary aggregate
• monetary unit

Rhymes for monetary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

Kids Definition

monetary

adjective

mon·​e·​tary ˈmän-ə-ˌter-ē 

also ˈmən-

: of or relating to money

this administration's monetary policy