bitcoin

American

[bit-koin] / ˈbɪtˌkɔɪn /

noun

Often Bitcoin the first widely established cryptocurrency, which uses state-of-the-art cryptography, can be issued in any fractional denomination, and has a decentralized distribution system.

Increasing numbers of stores and online businesses accept Bitcoin.
a single unit of bitcoin, the first widely established cryptocurrency.

The value of a bitcoin has sometimes surpassed the value of an ounce of gold.

Usage

What's the difference between bitcoin, cryptocurrency, and digital currency? See digital currency ( def. ).

Etymology

Origin of bitcoin

First recorded in 2005–10; bit ³ ( def. ) + coin

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Find insight on the U.S. housing market, weekly average mortgage rate, Bitcoin and more in the latest Market Talks covering Financial Services.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gold surged, the dollar and Bitcoin fell.

From Barron's

A steep decline in Bitcoin’s price drove the disappointing results since miners are rewarded with coins for verifying blockchain transactions.

From Barron's

Shares have declined by 57% from their 52-week closing high in October, when the price of Bitcoin began to plummet.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023