purse

1 of 2

noun

1
a(1)
: a small bag for money
(2)
: a receptacle (such as a pocketbook) for carrying money and often other small objects
b
: a receptacle (such as a pouch) shaped like a purse
2
b
: a sum of money offered as a prize or present
also : the total amount of money offered in prizes for a given event
purselike adjective

purse

2 of 2

verb

pursed; pursing

transitive verb

1
: to put into a purse
2
: pucker, knit
pursed his brow

Examples of purse in a Sentence

Noun a golf tournament with a million dollar purse I left my purse at home, so I can't buy anything after all. Verb She pursed her lips in concentration. His lips were tightly pursed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Additionally, a slim pocket inside neatly fits a $1 bill, as a direct homage to an anecdote about Jackie Kennedy, who was known among friends for always tucking a $1 into her bags and who gifted several of her purses to Bessette-Kennedy. Emma Sandler, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Five companies will receive a share of the overall 700,000-euro endowment, with the winner of the grand prize taking a 300,000-euro purse, and the runner-up 100,000 euros. Lily Templeton, WWD, 11 Mar. 2025 Contrasting the cool-toned clothing, Crawford added some warm accessories: a brown leather belt, suede heeled boots, and a Celine purse. Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2025 The Los Angeles Police Department recommends Apple Air Tags or similar trackers, which can be placed inside an object — like a purse or a jacket — and tracked via a smartphone. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for purse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English purs, from Old English, modification of Medieval Latin bursa, from Late Latin, ox hide, from Greek byrsa

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of purse was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Purse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/purse. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

purse

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small container (as a wallet) for money
especially : a woman's pocketbook
2
: a source of supply or support
3
: a sum of money offered as a prize or present

purse

2 of 2 verb
pursed; pursing
1
: to put into a purse
2
: pucker entry 1
pursed lips
Etymology

Noun

Old English purs "a small bag for money, purse," from Latin bursa "purse," from earlier bursa "oxhide," from Greek byrsa (same meaning) — related to disburse, reimburse

More from Merriam-Webster on purse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!