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

The schools are also accepting monetary donations to help with the relief effort. —Natalie Davies, Freep.com, 7 Mar. 2026

Brady is seeking monetary relief of over $1 million and damages for physical pain and mental anguish, lost wages, physical impairment and medical expenses. —Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 6 Mar. 2026

Judge John Tunheim is expected to produce a court order that will impose a deadline on the Department of Homeland Security to either return these people's items or provide monetary compensation. —Conor Wight, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026

Against such backdrops, the Fed would normally start setting the stage for easier monetary policy. —Fred Imbert, CNBC, 6 Mar. 2026

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