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
During the 2008 financial crisis, Senator Chris Dodd’s original version of what became the Dodd-Frank Act envisioned shifting a large amount of bank regulation from the Fed to the comptroller of the currency.
—Aaron Klein, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The protests erupted Sunday in the capital, Tehran, with crowds largely chanting about economic grievances after the country's currency hit a record low against the dollar as prices soar.
—Colin Sheeley, NBC news, 2 Jan. 2026
The Crown typically raises prices at the start of the year and occasionally during the middle of the year, depending on fluctuations in currency exchange rates and material costs.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
African currencies among best performers in 2025 African currencies were among the world’s best performing in 2025, driven by soaring commodity prices and rising economic stability.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 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.
Aaron Klein, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
The protests erupted Sunday in the capital, Tehran, with crowds largely chanting about economic grievances after the country's currency hit a record low against the dollar as prices soar.
—Colin Sheeley, NBC news, 2 Jan. 2026
The Crown typically raises prices at the start of the year and occasionally during the middle of the year, depending on fluctuations in currency exchange rates and material costs.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 Jan. 2026
African currencies among best performers in 2025 African currencies were among the world’s best performing in 2025, driven by soaring commodity prices and rising economic stability.
—Ben Smith, semafor.com, 2 Jan. 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 3 Jan. 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
Share