currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən(t)-sē How to pronounce currency (audio)
ˈkə-rən(t)-
plural currencies
1
a
: circulation as a medium of exchange
b
: general use, acceptance, or prevalence
a story gaining currency
c
: the quality or state of being current : currentness
needed to check the accuracy and currency of the information
2
a
: something (such as coins, treasury notes, and banknotes) that is in circulation as a medium of exchange
b
: paper money in circulation
c
: a common article for bartering
Furs were once used as currency.
d
: a medium of verbal or intellectual expression
… neither side possessed any currency but clichés …Jan Struther

Examples of currency in a Sentence

A new currency has been introduced in the foreign exchange market. They were paid in U.S. currency. Furs were once traded as currency. The word has not yet won widespread currency. I'm not sure about the accuracy and currency of their information.
Recent Examples on the Web Decades of extremely low interest rates in Japan had seen many investors borrow cash cheaply there before converting it to other currencies to invest in higher-yielding assets. Juliana Liu, CNN, 7 Aug. 2024 This is a trading strategy that involves borrowing with a currency at a low interest rate, like the yen, and using it to buy higher-returning investments. Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 6 Aug. 2024 Higher interest rates tend to boost the value of a nation’s currency, and the Japanese yen surged against the U.S. dollar. Elaine Kurtenbach, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Aug. 2024 That’s affected the practice of traders borrowing in the cheaper currency to purchase other global assets. Weizhen Tan, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for currency 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'currency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

curr(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of currency was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near currency

Cite this Entry

“Currency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currency. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

Kids Definition

currency

noun
cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən-sē How to pronounce currency (audio)
ˈkə-rən-
plural currencies
1
: common use or acceptance
2
: money in circulation

More from Merriam-Webster on currency

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!