legal tender

noun

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

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.
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 Eleven states currently recognize gold and silver coins as legal tender. Ian Robinson, USA Today, 9 May 2025 Utah was the first state to legalize gold and silver as legal tender in 2011. Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 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

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Cite this Entry

“Legal tender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/legal%20tender. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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