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

• 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

India has also spoken out against a Russian-Chinese proposal to launch a BRICS currency. —Vasuki Shastry, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025

The speech, delivered amid mounting economic uncertainty and political pressure, provided new signals on the Fed’s interest rate outlook that immediately moved stocks, bonds, and global currencies. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025

Users can hold and manage more than 50 currencies in one account. —Andreina Rodriguez,maya Benjamin, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025

Even so, consensus stressed that creativity, not automation, remains the industry’s currency. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 20 Aug. 2025

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