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

• financial
• fiscal
• economic

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

Burns went on to loosen monetary policy and help the president secure re-election in ’72. —Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

The lawsuit doesn't list an exact monetary amount being sought, but that the plaintiff and classes involved receive damages in the maximum amount allowed under the law. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Kansas City’s restaurant community was reeling after his death, and the community showed an outpouring of support through monetary donations that went on to support Brady’s grieving family. —Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025

A great deal is known about how monetary incentives increase the performance of individual employees. —Hbr Editors, Harvard Business Review, 4 Sep. 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