legal tender

noun

Synonyms of legal tendernext
: money that is legally valid for the payment of debts and that must be accepted for that purpose when offered

Synonyms

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Examples of legal tender in a Sentence

Soon after France adopted the euro, the French franc ceased to be legal tender. coins and bills are considered legal tender, but postage stamps are not
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.
Although the Treasury Department recently announced plans to stop production of the one-cent coin, the penny will remain legal tender. — Jade Walker, CNN Money, 27 May 2025 Unless a law is passed that transforms a virtual currency into legal tender, companies and individuals won’t be obligated to accept it as a form of payment. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 May 2012 So what happens without pennies, at least when cash is still the legal tender of choice? Enter the nickel. — Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025 Pennies will remain legal tender, which is fortunate since more than a billion dollar's worth are in circulation. — Scott Horsley, NPR, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for legal tender

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1730, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of legal tender was circa 1730

Rhymes for legal tender

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Browse Nearby Words

legal-size
legal tender
legal term
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Cite this Entry

“Legal tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legal%20tender. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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Kids Definition

legal tender

noun
: money that the law authorizes for paying debts

Legal Definition

legal tender

noun
: money that is legally valid for the payment of debts and that must be accepted for that purpose when offered

More from Merriam-Webster on legal tender

Nglish: Translation of legal tender for Spanish Speakers

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