bitcoin
Americannoun
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Often Bitcoin the first widely established cryptocurrency, which uses state-of-the-art cryptography, can be issued in any fractional denomination, and has a decentralized distribution system.
Increasing numbers of stores and online businesses accept Bitcoin.
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a single unit of bitcoin, the first widely established cryptocurrency.
The value of a bitcoin has sometimes surpassed the value of an ounce of gold.
Usage
What's the difference between bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and digital currency? See digital currency ( def. ).
Etymology
Origin of bitcoin
First recorded in 2005–10; bit 3 ( def. ) + coin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last summer, firms were able to raise tens of billions of dollars if they rebranded themselves as crypto-treasury companies to purchase bitcoin and more obscure cryptocurrencies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
In the early days of bitcoin, an electronic cigarette company, a biotech firm and an iced-tea company refocused around the cryptocurrency.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
A sustained move above $75,200 could be a sign that bitcoin is finally regaining momentum after months of pressure.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026
“The risk-reward of buying/adding bitcoin here is improving considerably,” Richey told MarketWatch on Tuesday.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026
Among other queasy-induced crashes, bitcoin lost 35% of its value in less than four weeks between mid-January and early February, falling from $96,929 on Jan. 13 to $62,702 on Feb. 4.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
