coin

1 of 3

noun

1
archaic
b
: wedge
2
a
: a usually flat piece of metal issued by governmental authority as money
b
: metal money
c
: something resembling a coin especially in shape
d
: a unit of a cryptocurrency
I also caution market participants against promoting or touting the offer and sale of coins without first determining whether the securities laws apply to those actions.Jay Clayton
3
: something used as if it were money (as in verbal or intellectual exchange)
perhaps wisecracks … are respectable literary coin in the U.S.The Times Literary Supplement (London)
would repay him with the full coin of his mindIan Fleming
4
: something having two different and usually opposing sides
usually used in the phrase the other side of the coin
5
informal : money
I'm in it for the coinSinclair Lewis

coin

2 of 3

verb

coined; coining; coins

transitive verb

1
a
: to make (a coin) especially by stamping : mint
b
: to convert (metal) into coins
2
: create, invent
coin a phrase
coiner noun

coin

3 of 3

adjective

1
: of or relating to coins
2
: operated by coins
Phrases
coin money
: to get rich quickly

Examples of coin in a Sentence

Noun I have a dollar in coins. seeking a job that pays plenty of coin Verb The coach coined the phrase “refuse to lose.” William Shakespeare is believed to have coined many words. The nation plans to coin more money.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Then within a few minutes a few more, then 10 coins, 50 coins. Karen K. Ho For Artnews, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024 For its part, Tether says its coin is backed by dollars and dollar-equivalent assets, including government bonds, at all times. Ryan Browne, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
This tipping point manufacturers are heading toward is commonly referred to as the Trough of Disillusionment, coined by Gartner to best explain the lackluster sentiment that follows an investment that does not have immediate positive output. Bill Rokos, Forbes, 24 Oct. 2024 Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, officially dates back to 1982, when the Forest Agency of Japan coined the term. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2024
Adjective
The victim told him where to find a bedroom safe and coin jar, which together contained $230. Kim Chatelain, NOLA.com, 21 June 2017 See all Example Sentences for coin 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'coin.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French coing wedge, corner, from Latin cuneus wedge

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1566, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near coin

Cite this Entry

“Coin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/coin. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

coin

1 of 3 noun
1
: a piece of metal put out by a government authority as money
2
: metal money
three dollars in coin

coin

2 of 3 verb
1
a
: to make (a coin) especially by stamping : mint
b
: to convert (metal) into coins
2
: create, invent
coin a phrase
coiner noun

coin

3 of 3 adjective
1
: of or relating to coins
a coin show
2
: operated by coins
a laundromat's coin washers

More from Merriam-Webster on coin

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!