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

Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about token

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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

But by that same token, the Sussex family knows how much impact those decisions can have. — Glamour, "Meghan Markle’s Baby Sussex Debut Dress Shocked Me as a Fellow New Mom," 8 May 2019 The new fund will invest not just in traditional equities, but in digital tokens as well. — Klint Finley, WIRED, "Andreessen Horowitz Lends Credence to Crypto With New Fund," 25 June 2018 Three days later, the theft of nearly $500 million in digital tokens is still reverberating through cryptocurrency markets and policy circles around the world. — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Will Trump's Davos glow extend to Washington?," 29 Jan. 2018 Each taco is priced at $2 in tokens -- check out our list of participating restaurants and food trucks below. — Detroit Free Press, "Taco Festival Detroit is sold out! Here's what you need to know," 10 Aug. 2017 The inclusion of virtual tokens -- along with traditional crimes like money laundering and investment schemes targeting the elderly -- as a focus of a panel announced Wednesday is the latest sign of Washington’s concern over digital currencies. — Tory Newmyer, Washington Post, "The Finance 202: Senate rebuke of Trump tariffs won't actually change anything," 12 July 2018 The in-game gold price of a token comes out to 203,035 pieces, according to WoWTokenPrices.com. — Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, "'World of Warcraft' in-game currency worth nearly 7 times more than Venezuelan bolivar, report says," 10 May 2018 Payments to ask questions will be made in the form of digital tokens. — The Economist, "New ways to trade data," 28 Mar. 2018 By the same token, if the wall were extremely useful, then Trump could seek to offset its cost by reducing spending on some other aspect of immigration enforcement. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "The shutdown is intractable because Trump’s wall is ridiculous and Republicans know it," 8 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

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 When Ars asked specifically what the range of possible cash versus token value of the grants was, Iles declined to answer. — Cyrus Farivar, Ars Technica, "Civil unrest: How a blockchain-based journalism startup bumbled its launch," 23 Dec. 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

Statistics for token

Last Updated

23 May 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