token

1 of 2

noun

to·​ken ˈtō-kən 

1

a

: a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms

b

: a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government

c

: a unit of a cryptocurrency

Bitcoin tokens

2

: an outward sign or expression

his tears were tokens of his grief

3

a

: symbol, emblem

a white flag is a token of surrender

b

: an instance of a linguistic expression

4

a

: souvenir, keepsake

b

: a small part representing the whole : indication

this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish

c

: something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)

5

: a member of a group (such as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism

especially : a token employee

6

: a distinguishing feature : characteristic

token

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: representing no more than a symbolic effort : minimal, perfunctory

token resistance

token integration

b

: serving or intended to show absence of discrimination

a token female employee

2

: done or given as a token especially in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement

a token payment

Phrases

by the same token

: for the same reason

Synonyms

Noun

• commemorative
• keepsake
• memento
• memorial
• monument
• remembrance
• reminder
• souvenir

Choose the Right Synonym for token

sign, mark, token, note, symptom mean a discernible indication of what is not itself directly perceptible.

sign applies to any indication to be perceived by the senses or the reason.

encouraging signs for the economy

mark suggests something impressed on or inherently characteristic of a thing often in contrast to general outward appearance.

a mark of a good upbringing

token applies to something that serves as a proof of something intangible.

this gift is a token of our esteem

note suggests a distinguishing mark or characteristic.

a note of irony in her writing

symptom suggests an outward indication of an internal change or condition.

rampant crime is a symptom of that city's decay

Examples of token in a Sentence

Noun

please accept this parting gift as a token of our lasting affection

Adjective

All the people who work there are men except for a couple of token women.

The ad campaign features a few token minorities.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Looking for a token of appreciation for your mother? —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Nov. 2024

Or maybe our confections are tokens of appreciation for the nostalgia these tiny Halloween-goers bring. —Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024

Adjective

The bottom line is, printing paper money or minting token coinage is easy profitable technology, but you are just not allowed to do it; that is the direction of travel at present. —Clem Chambers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

My friends in Los Angeles were texting me — the token New York Yankees fan for most of them — as their elation grew, error after Yankees error, mental blunder after mental blunder, leading to greater and greater Dodgers mania. —Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English tācen, tācn sign, token; akin to Old High German zeihhan sign, Greek deiknynai to show — more at diction

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1915, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing token

• book token
• hard-times token
• nonfungible token
• token money
• utility token

Kids Definition

token

noun

to·​ken

ˈtō-kən

1

: an outward sign

2

: something (as an act, gesture, or object) that serves as a sign or symbol

a white flag is a token of surrender

3

a

: souvenir

b

: indication sense 2

this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish

4

: a piece resembling a coin that has a special use

a bus token