currency
noun
cur·ren·cy
ˈkər-ən(t)-sē 
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
Jan StrutherExamples 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
Steep currency devaluations over the past decade have not produced the kind of durable export booms policymakers hope for, reflecting difficulties in developing competitive sectors.
—Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Edwards would set aside coins that couldn't be cashed — including foreign or counterfeit currency — and take them home.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
As Taylor will soon discover, more so than money or status, secrets are this society's true currency.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Both currencies had strengthened earlier in the session.
—Lim Hui Jie,anniek Bao,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for currency
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.
Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 2 Apr. 2026
Edwards would set aside coins that couldn't be cashed — including foreign or counterfeit currency — and take them home.
—Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2026
As Taylor will soon discover, more so than money or status, secrets are this society's true currency.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Both currencies had strengthened earlier in the session.
—Lim Hui Jie,anniek Bao,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 2 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for currency
Cite this Entry
“Currency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/currency. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
currency
noun
cur·ren·cy
ˈkər-ən-sē
ˈkə-rən-
plural currencies
1
: common use or acceptance
2
: money in circulation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
