sterling

1 of 2

noun

ster·​ling ˈstər-liŋ How to pronounce sterling (audio)
1
: British money
2
: sterling silver or articles of it

sterling

2 of 2

adjective

1
a
: of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling
b
: payable in sterling
2
a
of silver : having a fixed standard of purity usually defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
b
: made of sterling silver
3
: conforming to the highest standard
sterling character
a sterling record of achievement
sterlingly adverb
sterlingness noun

Examples of sterling in a Sentence

Noun a drop in the value of sterling Adjective a sterling example of democracy at work credited the win to the pitcher's sterling performance on the mound
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
It’s been 80 years since the mighty pound sterling stepped down from its lofty pedestal of international trading currency at the Bretton Woods Agreement and handed the baton to our dear dollar. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025 But the record still teems with the pair’s sterling indie folk balladry, invoking the likes of torchbearers like Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison. Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
They’re incorporated into 10 styles, in 18-karat yellow gold and sterling silver with diamonds and precious gemstones. David Moin, Footwear News, 28 Mar. 2025 Skubal’s missive set the stage for the Tigers on Opening Day, facing the defending champion Dodgers in their sterling Chavez Ravine home. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sterling

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, silver penny, probably from Old English *steorling, from Old English steorra star + -ling entry 1 — more at star

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of sterling was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sterling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterling. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

sterling

1 of 2 noun
ster·​ling ˈstər-liŋ How to pronounce sterling (audio)
1
: British money
2
: sterling silver or articles of it

sterling

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of or relating to British sterling
2
: being or made of an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
sterling silver
3
Etymology

Noun

so called from the phrase "a pound sterling," meaning the British pound as a monetary unit, but originally "a pound (by weight) of sterlings," from Middle English sterling "silver penny"

More from Merriam-Webster on sterling

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