rand

noun \ ˈrand , ˈränd , ˈränt \

|Updated on: 29 May 2018

Definition of rand

plural rand

the basic monetary unit of South Africa — see Money Table

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Recent Examples of rand from the Web

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
The rand has rallied and business confidence rebounded since Ramaphosa succeeded Zuma as head of the ruling African National Congress and president.

— Bloomberg.com, "South Africa Braces for First Ratings Verdict of Ramaphosa Era," 19 Mar. 2018
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba discusses South Africa's economic priorities and the rand.

— Bloomberg, "Gigaba Says Rand Can Strengthen Further as Reforms Take Place," 22 Feb. 2018
The rand weakened, with traders blaming uncertainty caused by the lack of a clear timetable.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Zuma ordered by party to step down as South African president," 7 Feb. 2018
The rand has lost 3.1%, after a nearly 7% gain in that period.

— ira iosebashvili, WSJ, "Trump’s Tariff Plans Spook Emerging-Market Investors," 4 Mar. 2018
The second issue is around how his appointment has impacted the rand-dollar exchange rate.

— janice kew, Bloomberg.com, "‘It's Like 1994 Again’: South African CEOs Hail Ramaphosa Win," 25 Feb. 2018
The rand Thursday reached its highest point in nearly three years.

— robyn dixon, latimes.com, "Cyril Ramaphosa sworn in as South Africa's president, replacing Jacob Zuma," 15 Feb. 2018
Recent acts have included the Linda Sikhakhane Sextet, Vuma Levin, Lu Dlamini; tickets typically range from 100 to 150 rand, depending on the artist.

— New York Times, "36 Hours in Johannesburg," 8 Feb. 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.

Origin and Etymology of rand

the Rand, South Africa

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1941

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Rand

biographical name \ ˈrand \

Definition of Rand

Ayn play \ˈīn\ 1905–1982 American (Russian-born) writer

RAND Defined for English Language Learners

rand

noun

Definition of rand for English Language Learners

: the basic unit of money in the Republic of South Africa

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See words that rhyme with rand Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rand

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