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
Relevance
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
The slow but steady march of crypto products into mainstream financial systems — El Salvador adopted Bitcoin as legal tender in 2021 — has piqued broader interest in the subject.
—
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
Countries like El Salvador and regions with economic instability increasingly turn to bitcoin as legal tender or reserve asset.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
In June 2019, the government recognized the RTGS dollar as legal tender and rechristened it the new Zimbabwean dollar, while at the same time barring the use of the U.S. dollar.
—Tendai Biti, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2019
And Bhutan El Salvador is famous for becoming the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender, integrating it into several national projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing debt.
—Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legal tender 
Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 19 Oct. 2024
Countries like El Salvador and regions with economic instability increasingly turn to bitcoin as legal tender or reserve asset.
—Susie Violet Ward, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024
In June 2019, the government recognized the RTGS dollar as legal tender and rechristened it the new Zimbabwean dollar, while at the same time barring the use of the U.S. dollar.
—Tendai Biti, Foreign Affairs, 20 Aug. 2019
And Bhutan El Salvador is famous for becoming the first country to adopt bitcoin as legal tender, integrating it into several national projects aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing debt.
—Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 17 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for legal tender
Recent Examples of Synonyms for legal tender
Noun
-
The tax credit would be fully refundable – meaning Sundance wouldn’t have to actually have any Colorado tax liability to get the cash – and would be worth $34 million over 10 years.—
The Denver Post Editorial Board,
The Denver Post,
3 Feb. 2025
-
To post online, Manchi has to climb a tree in order to get a signal, toilets in this town sometimes require flushing with a bucket and a convenience store owner doesn’t miss the chance to take Justin’s cash.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Gale says the group has used the money to hire a biologist and engineer who are studying their location data, in particular.—
Stephanie O'Neill,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Trump cited a freeze on new money for all U.S. foreign aid, his notice of a U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and his order ceasing diversity, equity and inclusion programs across the federal government, among other things.—
Will Weissert and Thomas Beaumont,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The meme coin’s website says Fight Fight Fight and CIC Digital own the remaining 800 million coins, worth around $16 billion at the coin’s current price of about $20.—
Tom Wilson and Michelle Conlin,
USA TODAY,
3 Feb. 2025
-
Meme coins as a group have dropped 17% over the past 24 hours, according to CoinGecko.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For 2024, net sales rose 12% on a constant currency basis to $50.32 billion, versus $50.47 billion forecasted.—
Karen Gilchrist,
CNBC,
31 Jan. 2025
-
Upon conducting an inspection of the boat, deputies found a photocopy of Victor Lopez’ Cuban passport and an immigration document, U.S. currency inside a fanny pack and large amounts of bottled water, the last of which the complaint noted as typically associated with people smuggling.—
Silas Morgan,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to legal tender
Thesaurus Entries Near legal tender
Cite this Entry
“Legal tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/legal%20tender. Accessed 9 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share