token

noun

to·ken | \ ˈtō-kən

Definition of token

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms

b : a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government

c : a unit of a cryptocurrency Bitcoin tokens

2 : an outward sign or expression his tears were tokens of his grief

3a : symbol, emblem a white flag is a token of surrender

b : an instance of a linguistic expression

4a : souvenir, keepsake

b : a small part representing the whole : indication this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish

c : something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)

5 : a member of a group (such as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism especially : a token employee

6 : a distinguishing feature : characteristic

by the same token

: for the same reason

token

adjective

Definition of token (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : representing no more than a symbolic effort : minimal, perfunctory token resistance token integration

b : serving or intended to show absence of discrimination a token female employee

2 : done or given as a token especially in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement a token payment

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Choose the Right Synonym for token

Noun

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible. sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason. encouraging signs for the economy mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance. a mark of a good upbringing token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible. this gift is a token of our esteem note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic. a note of irony in her writing symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition. rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Examples of token in a Sentence

Noun

please accept this parting gift as a token of our lasting affection

Adjective

All the people who work there are men except for a couple of token women. The ad campaign features a few token minorities.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In some cases, those login tokens allow developers to request information like birthdays, or access to calendars, as well. — Lauren Goode, WIRED, "App Makers Are Mixed on ‘Sign In With Apple’," 15 June 2019 The agency also notes that Kik’s digital tokens have lost half their value since the sale. — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, "Does the SEC's ICO Lawsuit Against Kik Go Too Far?," 6 June 2019 The token will mainly be used in Facebook’s products — WhatsApp, Messenger and so on — but the company is also planning ATM-like physical terminals. — Elizabeth Lopatto, The Verge, "Facebook’s new cryptocurrency may launch this month, a report says," 6 June 2019 That the removal of that character would matter to the plot, so that the character cannot be considered a token, and that the character is not just used, as in Ace Ventura, as a punchline. — Dan Kopf, Quartzy, "Before We Knew Better: Transphobia was at the very center of Ace Ventura," 31 May 2019 This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and while a bouquet of pink peonies is always an appropriate brunch offering, there’s nothing quite like surprising Mom with a luxurious assortment of home, fashion and beauty tokens. — Madeline Fass, Vogue, "16 Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas," 8 May 2019 Tool use has been found among only a few marine animals, including dolphins, which use sponges to protect their beaks while hunting fish in coral—and possibly as love tokens. — National Geographic, "Sea otters use tools, too. Now scientists look at their 'archaeology'," 29 Mar. 2019 WebAuthn supports two main categories of authentication: biometrics and hardware security tokens. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "WebAuthn: What you need to know about the future of the passwordless Web," 7 Mar. 2019 But the Florida version does have a cute Bo Peep board-game token, in pale pink of course, and brightly colored Cooties. — Matthew J. Palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "How does Orlando's Toy Story Land stack up against its predecessors?," 3 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Ethics washing refers to the tactics companies employ to avoid substantial oversight, like announcing advisory boards, employing token measures like incognito modes, and even calling for the government to (lightly) rein in the industry. — Sidney Fussell, The Atlantic, "More Privacy Still Isn’t Privacy," 4 June 2019 By that same token, New York Fashion Week’s over-18 policy only came after the CFDA and Vogue united to pledge to only hire models who fit the bill. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, "Kering Commits to Using Models Over 18: Will the Rest of the Fashion World Follow Suit?," 15 May 2019 Last year, Kik sold nearly $100 million worth of its token, known as Kin. — New York Times, "Despite Caution Over Cryptocurrency, Investors Are Bullish," 27 June 2018 Video: Sharon Shi and Crystal Tai Mr. Hinman outlined several factors that would lend credence to the argument that a digital token or coin isn’t a security. — Dave Michaels, WSJ, "Ether Shouldn’t Be Subject to SEC Regulation, Official Says," 14 June 2018 The specific charges were merely a vehicle for the Tezos token holders’ grievances with the status quo. — Gideon Lewis-kraus, WIRED, "The Blockchain: A Love Story—And a Horror Story," 18 June 2018 Forbes’s swamped bureau reporters could offer only token help to a 23-year-old greenhorn on what many regarded as a fool’s errand. — Jonathan Greenberg, Town & Country, "How to Get a Spot Among the Billionaires on the Forbes 400 List," 15 Jan. 2019 For a larger party, simple gifts such as delicate ornaments are a wonderful way to leave everyone with a sentimental token to remember the evening. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "A Celebrity Event Planner’s Secrets for the Best Holiday Party Ever," 10 Oct. 2018 And, like other digital currencies, IOTA’s token value has soared and fallen. — The Economist, "New ways to trade data," 28 Mar. 2018

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

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Dictionary Entries near token

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Last Updated

20 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for token

The first known use of token was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for token

token

noun

English Language Learners Definition of token

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a round piece of metal or plastic that is used instead of money in some machines : an object that looks like a coin and is used in place of a coin

: something that is a symbol of a feeling, event, etc.

token

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of token (Entry 2 of 2)

disapproving

—used to describe something that is done with very little effort and only to give the appearance that an effort is being made

: included in a group only to prevent criticism that people of a particular kind are being unfairly left out

See the full definition for token in the English Language Learners Dictionary

token

noun

to·ken | \ ˈtō-kən

Kids Definition of token

1 : an outer sign : proof “… you ought to take this for a plain and visible token that you are not to be a seafaring man.”— Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe

2 : a piece like a coin that has a special use a bus token

3 : an object used to suggest something that cannot be pictured This ring is a token of my affection.

4 : souvenir

5 : indication sense 2