bolivar

¹ American  

[bol-uh-ver, buh-lee-vahr, baw-lee-vahr] / ˈbɒl ə vər, bəˈli vɑr, bɔˈli vɑr /

noun

plural

bolivars,

plural

bolivares

1. a coin and monetary unit of Venezuela, equal to 100 centimos. B.

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Bolívar ² American  

[buh-lee-vahr, baw-lee-vahr] / bəˈli vɑr, bɔˈli ḇɑr /

noun

1. Simón El Libertador, 1783–1830, Venezuelan statesman: leader of revolt of South American colonies against Spanish rule.

2. Pico Bolívar, a mountain in western Venezuela, in the Cordillera Mérida: highest elevation in Venezuela. 16,411 feet (5,007 meters).

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Bolivar ¹ British  

/ ˈbɒlɪˌvɑː, boˈliβar /

noun

1. Simon (siˈmon). 1783–1830, South American soldier and liberator. He drove the Spaniards from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and hoped to set up a republican confederation, but was prevented by separatist movements in Venezuela and Colombia (1829–30). Upper Peru became a separate state and was called Bolivia in his honour

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bolívar ² British  

/ ˈbɒlɪˌvɑː, boˈliβar /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Venezuela, equal to 100 céntimos

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Etymology

Origin of bolivar

First recorded in 1880–85; from Latin American Spanish, named after Simón Bolívar

Example Sentences

Years of hyperinflation—estimated by the IMF at 65,370% in 2018—has left the country’s bolivar currency virtually worthless.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

This week she ploughed $300 million from a US-brokered oil sale into propping up the ailing national currency, the bolivar.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

It also has offered a financial lifeline to everyday Venezuelans racked by the tumbling value of their home currency, the bolivar.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 10, 2026

Nearly all transactions in Venezuela took place in dollars owing to the hyperinflation and eventual worthlessness of the local bolivar currency.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 8, 2026

His patent-leather shoes and his bolivar could last awhile longer.

From L'Assommoir by Zola, Émile