devaluation

noun

de·​val·​u·​a·​tion (ˌ)dē-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

-yü-ˈā-

1

: an official reduction in the exchange value of a currency by a lowering of its gold equivalency or its value relative to another currency

2

: a lessening especially of status or stature : decline

Examples of devaluation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The continued devaluation of the starting pitcher is turning Opening Day into just another day for hurlers — and ensuring there’ll be fewer pitchers like Mike Hampton, Tom Glavine, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana, never mind another Tom Seaver or Dwight Gooden. —Jerry Beach, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Market dynamics vary and ignoring these differences often leads to misalignment and devaluation. —Oscar Chavez-Arrieta, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

While this has been viewed by some as an outlier caused by a surge in gold imports, the price of gold itself—a historic hedge against dollar devaluation and weak economic growth—has risen by nearly $300 since the start of the year (11 percent). —Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025

This was the culmination of an entire offseason of rumors, valuations and devaluations. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing devaluation

• pre-devaluation

Rhymes for devaluation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Legal Definition

devaluation

noun

de·​val·​u·​ation (ˌ)dē-ˌval-yə-ˈwā-shən 

1

: an official reduction in the exchange value of a currency by a lowering of its gold equivalency or its value relative to another currency

2

: a lessening of the value of something (as an asset)

portfolio devaluation