rand

noun \ ˈrand , ˈränd , ˈränt \

|Updated on: 7 Aug 2018

Definition of rand

plural rand

the basic monetary unit of South Africa — see Money Table

See rand defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of rand from the Web

After rallying to a three-year high against the dollar, the rand has lost ground as emerging-market assets face headwinds including rising U.S. rates, trade tensions and crises in economies from Argentina to Turkey.

— sam mkokeli, Bloomberg.com, "Zuma's Defiance Hampers Ramaphosa's Bid to Reform South Africa," 12 June 2018
The Russian ruble and the South African rand were among the currencies to fall initially but then turn higher; the Turkish lira whipsawed as investors dialed back on risk.

— olga cotaga, WSJ, "Trump’s Iran Decision Adds Volatility to Emerging-Market Currencies," 9 May 2018
Creditors include two companies tied to Jooste and his son-in-law, Stefan Potgieter, which may realize more than 200 million rand from the disposals, the documents show.

— loni prinsloo, Bloomberg.com, "Steinhoff Ex-CEO Set to Cash in After Making Deal With Banks," 25 Apr. 2018
The Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit and South African rand have all gained roughly 4% against the dollar in 2018.

— saumya vaishampayan, WSJ, "As Fed Raises Interest Rates, Emerging Markets Aren’t Following Suit," 22 Mar. 2018
The South African rand surged against the U.S. dollar on the announcement of his victory.

— tara john, Time, "Who Is Cyril Ramaphosa, the Man Being Called South Africa's 'President in Waiting'?," 15 Feb. 2018
Developing-nation stocks headed for the biggest drop since March, and currencies slid as the South African rand and Turkish lira led declines.

— Fortune, "Stock Markets Are Falling Around the World as Fears of a U.S.-China Trade War Grow," 19 June 2018
South Africa’s rand tumbled and bond yields soared as disappointing economic data this week persuaded traders that there’s no chance of a rate increase any time soon.

— sarah ponczek and janine wolf, BostonGlobe.com, "Stocks close higher as risk-off sentiment fades," 10 June 2018
South Africa, for instance, ran a current-account deficit of 5.9% of GDP in 2013 on the IMF’s numbers and the rand fell around 20% against the dollar that year.

— richard barley, WSJ, "In Emerging Turmoil, What Links Argentina and Turkey?," 16 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rand.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.