rial

1 of 2

noun (1)

ri·​al rē-ˈȯl How to pronounce rial (audio)
-ˈäl
variants or less commonly riyal
the basic monetary unit of Iran, Oman, and Yemen see Money Table

rial

2 of 2

noun (2)

ri·​al

less common spelling of riyal

the basic monetary unit of Qatar and Saudi Arabia see Money Table

Examples of rial in a Sentence

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
Hosseini was subsequently suspended for one match and given a fine of three billion rials ($4,500, £3,618). Colin Millar, The Athletic, 28 July 2024 After Khamenei’s speech, the Iranian rial fell to 691,500 against the dollar, near an all-time low. Jon Gambrell, Los Angeles Times, 2 Nov. 2024 Economic pressure mounts as Iran's currency, the rial, hovers near record lows due to international sanctions linked to its nuclear ambitions, which involve enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024 Prolonged high inflation has eroded purchasing power for Iranians, making basic necessities difficult to afford amid severe depreciation of the Iranian rial. Natasha Turak, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rial 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Persian, from Arabic riyāl riyal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1930, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rial was in 1930

Dictionary Entries Near rial

Cite this Entry

“Rial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rial. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on rial

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!