coin of the realm
noun phrase
Eloise Salholz et al.
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Coin of the realm gained currency in the English language during the 18th century as a term for the legal money of a country. Coin is ultimately from Latin cuneus, meaning "wedge," and entered English, via Anglo-French, in the 14th century with the meaning "cornerstone" or "quoin." By the latter part of that century, the word was being exchanged as a name for a device or impress stamped on flat pieces of metal used as money and, by extension, for the money itself. Realm entered English in the 13th century with the meaning "kingdom." Its spelling is an alteration of Old French reiame, which is based on the Latin word for "rule" or "government," regimen. In time, realm was generalized as the name for any sphere or domain, and coin of the realm came to signify something having value or influence in a particular sphere.
Examples of coin of the realm in a Sentence
James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Oct. 2024
Today, energy has become the new coin of the realm for companies investing in artificial intelligence.
—Rob Wile, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2024
In both areas, data sharing is the coin of the realm.
—Frank J. Cilluffo, Foreign Affairs, 4 July 2016
In a cyclic business, flexibility is the coin of the realm.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 2 Aug. 2024
It was funded by allowing people to buy its coin of the realm, ether (ETH) — its equivalent of bitcoin (BTC), before the chain even existed.
—Brady Dale, Axios, 30 July 2024
By acknowledging that, Gilroy and Berlanti capture a turning point in American history, when spin became the coin of the realm … which seems all the more relevant in light of recent events.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 July 2024
The coalition's and the Afghan government's public criticism of each other should stop; constructive talks based on mutual interests should be the coin of the realm.
—David M. Rodriguez, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2011
My son’s catch-and-release treasure hunt was a wake-up call for me—the youth have no love for the coin of the realm.
—Wes Moss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Coin of the realm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coin%20of%20the%20realm. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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