# Treasury

/ˈtɹɛʒɝi/ (US) · /tɹˈɛʒəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/treasury
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. government department

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the government department that manages a country's money, taxes, and spending.

For teachers: the government department responsible for the management of public revenue, national expenditure, and financial policy.

- The Treasury announced new tax cuts to help small businesses grow.
- The Treasury is expected to release a detailed report on the national debt before the next parliamentary session begins.

Usage: Often capitalized when referring to a specific national institution, such as the UK Treasury or the US Treasury.

### 2. government bonds

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

financial investments sold by a government to borrow money from the public.

For teachers: securities or bonds issued by a government department to fund public spending.

- Many people buy Treasuries because they are considered a safe investment.
- Investors flocked to long-term Treasuries as market volatility increased, seeking a stable haven for their capital.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form when referring to the financial instruments themselves.

### 3. place for treasure

noun · CEFR B2

a room or building where gold, jewels, or other valuable things are kept safe.

For teachers: a physical repository or chamber where state, royal, or ecclesiastical wealth and valuables are stored.

- The ancient palace had a secret treasury filled with gold coins.
- Visitors to the cathedral can view the ornate golden chalices kept in the medieval treasury.

### 4. collection of works

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a book or collection that contains many beautiful or important pieces of art or writing.

For teachers: a curated collection or anthology of highly valued literary or artistic works.

- This book is a treasury of classic poems for children.
- The library acquired a rare treasury of seventeenth-century sketches, providing a unique insight into the period's architectural styles.

## Examples

- The Treasury announced new tax cuts this morning.
- Economists are waiting for the Treasury to release the latest figures on national debt and spending.
- The proposed infrastructure project requires significant funding, which must be approved by the Treasury before any construction contracts can be signed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.