central bank

American  

noun

1. a bank, as the Federal Reserve Bank, that holds basic banking reserves, issues currency, and acts as lender of last resort and controller of credit.

---

central bank British  

noun

1. a national bank that does business mainly with a government and with other banks: it regulates the volume and cost of credit

---

Etymology

Origin of central bank

First recorded in 1920–25

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

central bank

However, “investors remain focused on persistent inflation risks, central bank tightening expectations, and an increasingly busy earnings calendar,” it adds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

"During my time as Pakistan's central bank governor, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for countries to balance the needs of the countries' citizens with the needs of the IMF programme," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026

Many economists said choosing between the two scenarios is a tough call for the central bank.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2026

In Asia, China’s growth figures and a string of central bank decisions will take center stage as policymakers weigh uneven economic momentum against persistent inflation pressures.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026

One kind of monetary policy, which involves the central bank buying private assets, is chunked as quantitative easing.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---