shilling

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noun shil·ling \ ˈshi-liŋ \

Definition of shilling

1 a :a former monetary unit of the United Kingdom equal to 12 pence or ¹/₂₀ pound

b :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

Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen (pounds) nineteen (shillings) and six (pence), result happiness.

— john gallagher, Detroit Free Press, "Why does economy seem to be 1 step forward, 2 back for Michiganders? Researcher has theory," 12 July 2017
Five Shillings Rd., 2446-Joan B. and Jerry E. Walker to Humberto J. Zepeda and Audrey Rehnert, $333,000.

— Washington Post, "Montgomery County and Frederick County homes sales," 7 June 2017
The younger Mr. Sallis worked as a bank clerk for a weekly salary of one pound, 10 shillings before becoming an instructor at radio school at the Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire during World War II.

— richard sandomir, New York Times, "Peter Sallis, Voice of ‘Wallace and Gromit’ Cartoons, Dies at 96," 6 June 2017
The lender earlier on Thursday reported a 1.9 percent decline in first-quarter profit as net interest income, the money banks earn from interest charges on loans, shrank 5.5 percent to 10.3 billion shillings ($99.6 million).

— felix njini, Bloomberg.com, "Kenya's Largest Bank Expects Rate-Cap Removal in Second Half," 11 May 2017
Shilling scored two goals a minute apart in the third quarter to give Boys' Latin its first lead and then insurance at 8-6.

— glenn graham, baltimoresun.com, "No. 2 Boys' Latin takes control in second half to beat No. 4 St. Mary's in lacrosse, 13-9," 25 Apr. 2017
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).

— andy volk, WIRED, "Review: M-KOPA Solar Home System," 15 Oct. 2013

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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SHILLING Defined for English Language Learners

shilling

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noun

Definition of shilling for English Language Learners

: a British coin used before 1971 that was equal to 1/20 of a British pound
: the basic unit of money in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda

SHILLING Defined for Kids

shilling

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noun shil·ling \ ˈshi-liŋ \

Definition of shilling for Students

:an old British coin equal to ¹/₂₀ pound

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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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SHILLING Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of shilling for English Language Learners

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