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

Generally, the items should be of low monetary value, with the cost less than $188. —Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 25 Dec. 2025

With each cancellation, DHS has offered monetary incentives and a 60 days' notice to leave the country. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025

The Broncos could theoretically move enough money around after the season to re-sign Franklin-Myers, but that’d be a heck of an overall monetary investment in this defensive line. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 23 Dec. 2025

Softer monetary policy may also be driving the upswing in gold prices this year, with investors more bullish after three consecutive rate cuts from the Federal Reserve. —Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 22 Dec. 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