Definition of shilling
1a : a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or 1⁄20 poundb : a former monetary unit equal to 1⁄20 pound of any of various countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations
2 : a coin representing one shilling
3 : any of several early American coins
4 the basic monetary unit of Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda — see money table
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Recent Examples of shilling from the Web
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Currently available only in Kenya — a country where the innovative payment plan arguably has the biggest impact — the cheaper version of these two solar systems retails for 2,500 KES, or Kenyan shillings (that’s roughly $29).
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shilling'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of shilling
Middle English, from Old English scilling; akin to Old High German skilling, a gold coin
First Known Use: before 12th century
SHILLING Defined for English Language Learners
shilling
playDefinition of shilling for English Language Learners
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: a British coin used before 1971 that was equal to 1/20 of a British pound
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: the basic unit of money in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda
SHILLING Defined for Kids
shilling
playDefinition of shilling for Students
: an old British coin equal to 1⁄20 pound
Learn More about shilling
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See words that rhyme with shilling Spanish Central: Translation of shilling Nglish: Translation of shilling for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about shilling
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