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coin

n. · v.
US //ˈkɔɪn// UK //kˈɔɪn// coin
  1. 1 metal money (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a small, flat, round piece of metal used as money.

    a piece of metallic currency, typically disc-shaped, issued by a government authority.

    Example

    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of silver coins.

    Example

    The archaeologist discovered a hoard of Roman coins buried beneath the floorboards of the ancient villa.
  2. 2 money in general (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Informal

    a slang word for money or wealth.

    a collective term for money or financial gain. Informal or slang in register.

    Example

    That new tech job pays some serious coin.

    Example

    The developers made a significant amount of coin after their mobile application went viral globally.
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  1. 3 cryptocurrency (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Computing

    a type of digital money, like Bitcoin.

    a specific unit or variety of cryptocurrency. Often used as an ellipsis for 'cryptocoin'.

    Example

    He invested in a new coin that he found on a social media forum.

    Example

    Market volatility caused the value of the alternative coin to drop by thirty percent in a single afternoon.
  2. 4 to invent a word (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to invent a new word or phrase that people start using.

    to invent or devise a new linguistic expression. Transitive; requires a direct object.

    Example

    The scientist had to coin a new term to describe her discovery.

    Example

    The author is credited with coining several phrases that have since become staples of the English language.
  3. 5 to make metal money (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to make pieces of metal money in a factory.

    to manufacture coins from metal; to mint currency.

    Example

    The government began to coin more silver to keep up with demand.

    Example

    During the crisis, the central bank was authorised to coin emergency currency to stabilise the local economy.
Origin

From Middle English coyn, from Old French coigne (“wedge, cornerstone, die for stamping”), from Latin cuneus (“wedge”). Doublet of coign and cuneus. See also quoin (“cornerstone”). Displaced Middle English mynt, from Old English mynet (whence modern English mint), which was derived from Latin monēta.

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