legal tender

noun

Definition of legal tendernext
as in cash
something (as pieces of stamped metal or printed paper) customarily and legally used as a medium of exchange, a measure of value, or a means of payment coins and bills are considered legal tender, but postage stamps are not

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of legal tender Money Metals Exchange also maintains a state-by-state resource directory covering all 50 states, with information about sales tax laws, capital gains treatment, legal tender status and local coin dealers. — Deane Biermeier, USA Today, 8 July 2026 There are also four bills from the 2025 legislative session that become law on Wednesday, including one to designate gold and silver as legal tender. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 25 June 2026 In 1926, the nation’s 150th anniversary, then-President Calvin Coolidge appeared on a commemorative half-dollar coin that was official legal tender. — Bill Barrow, Fortune, 29 May 2026 As the world’s first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, El Salvador has positioned itself as a hub for crypto-curious travelers, with digital wallets operating alongside its low-density tourism. — Angelika Pokovba, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for legal tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal tender
  1. cash
  2. money
  3. coin
  4. currency
  5. bucks
Noun
  • Freed of a cash crunch, the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s 2027 preliminary budget shows a significant boost in spending as the super agency powers up to deliver more bus and rail service for riders.
    — Marni Pyke, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Advisors typically recommend keeping at least three to six months of living expenses in cash for emergency savings.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of cash
Noun
  • The proposition would allow local governments to create economic development districts with the ability to issue bonds, make loans, and award grants of public money.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Spring Grove Cemetery, a historic cemetery in Hartford’s North End that fell into disrepair, is about to get a major boost with $225,000 in state grant money expected after the city agreed to accept the funds this week.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of money
Noun
  • The researchers then tested the electrolyte in experimental coin cells using lead and lead fluoride electrodes.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
  • But sometimes, in reality, they are decided by a midnight coin toss in a parking lot in front of Catfish Roundup.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of coin
Noun
  • According to Google DeepMind, the findings do not threaten modern encryption used to secure online banking, messaging apps, software updates, or digital currencies.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Adjusted for currency fluctuations, comparable sales fell 10 percent.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of currency
Noun
  • Does bed near food and still want to feed — and the bucks know it.
    — Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 4 Nov. 2026
  • In terms of that bang and those bucks, let’s forward lean, Rashida.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of bucks

Browse Nearby Words

legally
legal tender
legate
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Cite this Entry

“Legal tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal%20tender. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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