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

Synonyms of currency

• cash
• money
• coin

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

Despite the bravado expressed by top officials, anxiety about the economy persists after high inflation and a currency crash sparked nationwide protests that were put down by a brutal crackdown in January. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026

The pushback comes as importers across the continent and other emerging markets turn to digital currencies to pay overseas vendors on the spot amid tight bank supplies of hard currency and costly transfer delays. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The possibility that the nickel could eventually follow the penny also strengthens the case for systems that can accommodate future changes in currency. — Brian Delp, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The heir to the company SIPCA, which makes inks used in printing currency, Maurice died at 68 in 2019 while on holiday in Saint Tropez. — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

curr(ent) entry 1 + -ency

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing currency

• fractional currency
• hard currency

Rhymes for currency

• concurrency
• eurocurrency

Kids Definition

currency

noun

cur·​ren·​cy ˈkər-ən-sē 

ˈkə-rən-

plural currencies

1

: common use or acceptance

2

: money in circulation