currency

[ kur-uhn-see, kuhr- ]

noun

, plural cur·ren·cies.

1. something that is used as a medium of exchange; money.
2. general acceptance; prevalence; vogue.
3. a time or period during which something is widely accepted and circulated.
4. the fact or quality of being widely accepted and circulated from person to person.
5. circulation, as of coin.

currency

/ ˈkʌrənsɪ /

noun

1. a metal or paper medium of exchange that is in current use in a particular country
2. general acceptance or circulation; prevalence

   the currency of ideas

3. the period of time during which something is valid, accepted, or in force
4. the act of being passed from person to person
5. (formerly) the local medium of exchange, esp in the colonies, as distinct from sterling
6. slang.
   1. (formerly) the native-born Australians, as distinct from the British immigrants
   2. ( as modifier )

      a currency lad

currency

1. Any form of money in actual use as a medium of exchange.

Word History and Origins

Origin of currency¹

From the Medieval Latin word currentia, dating back to 1650–60. See current, -ency

Word History and Origins

Origin of currency¹

C17: from Medieval Latin currentia, literally: a flowing, from Latin currere to run, flow

Example Sentences

Now, politicians, newscasters, podcast hosts and white nationalists were picking up his ideas about pollution and scarcity, immigration and global warming, that fit their agendas, swirling them together with historical tropes about ecology and racist thought and conspiracy theories, not sure, necessarily, where the ideas had come from but eager to trade on their currency.

From Salon

Microstrategy: The Bitcoin software company also got a nice postelection bump, with Trump’s victory leading its key currency to never-before-seen thresholds.

From Slate

Backers of the digital currency are celebrating, and wondering how much more valuable it could become - with some suggesting it could reach $100,000 per coin.

From BBC

A 19-year-old student obliged and the day went down in history for fans of the currency as #BitcoinPizza day.

From BBC

Hairdressers, supermarkets and other shops had to accept Bitcoin by law, alongside its main currency, the US dollar.

From BBC

Related Words

• cash