as in money
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
made some real wampum on that last business deal
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wampum
Similar stories played out with other forms of money, such as wampum beads.
—
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth James-Perry and Erin Genia: Wampanoag and Dakota Adornment
James-Perry, honored this year with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, makes wampum jewelry, textiles, and maritime art directly tied to her Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal heritage.
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Some of their gear—a pair of shoes, a VHF radio, a wampum sash worth several thousand dollars—now resides on the canal’s bottom.
—Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
There is a really quite amazing scene when Civility and Satcheechoe take a string of wampum and wrap it around the Pennsylvania governor’s arm to symbolically pull him to Albany to meet with all the Native people who have become involved in this case.
—Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Elizabeth James-Perry and Erin Genia: Wampanoag and Dakota Adornment
James-Perry, honored this year with a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts, makes wampum jewelry, textiles, and maritime art directly tied to her Aquinnah Wampanoag tribal heritage.
—Lauren Daley, BostonGlobe.com, 25 July 2023
Some of their gear—a pair of shoes, a VHF radio, a wampum sash worth several thousand dollars—now resides on the canal’s bottom.
—Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 3 July 2023
There is a really quite amazing scene when Civility and Satcheechoe take a string of wampum and wrap it around the Pennsylvania governor’s arm to symbolically pull him to Albany to meet with all the Native people who have become involved in this case.
—Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2021
See All Example Sentences for wampum
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wampum
Noun
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Nine of the top ten sets by brick count have been released in the last five years, and two of those are still to arrive, namely the LEGO Pokémon Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise, and a yet-to-be announced Lord of the Rings build (my money’s on Minas Tirith).—
Matt Gardner,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Instead, the money inmates pay to buy snacks and other items in the commissary covers the cost, something called the inmate welfare account.—
Jermont Terry,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Winners of the Lucky for Life top prize of $1,000 a day for life and second prize of $25,000 a year for life can decide to collect the prize for a minimum of 20 years or take a lump sum cash payment.—
Staff Reports,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
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To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Green Day Green Day will be a part of an on-field performance just before the coin toss as the NFL honors Super Bowl MVPs of the past ahead of the 60th game in its history.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
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There are literally thousands of potential bets on the game and everything surrounding it — from the coin toss to who will score the first touchdown to who will appear onscreen during the ads.—
David Hill,
Rolling Stone,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The International Monetary Fund recognizes seven other major reserve currencies, including euros, renminbi, Japanese yen, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, pounds sterling and Swiss francs.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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Both state actors and individual investors have turned to digital currencies, for different purposes.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Player props have become such a big and fun part of betting on the big game, so here are 11 that are worth sprinkling a few bucks on.—
KC Joyner,
New York Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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Today, all flavors cost $6 except for the gluten-free Toffee-tastic cookies, which run 7 bucks.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Her teammate, Kaillie Humphries – mom of 15-month-old Aulden – is the first female bobsledder to defend her Olympic title and will vie for her fourth gold.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Former Olympic gold medalists will also be in the delegation, including hockey player sisters Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando, speedskater Apolo Ohno and figure skater Evan Lysacek.—
MICHELLE L. PRICE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wampum.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wampum. Accessed 10 Feb. 2026.
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