coinage

American  

[koi-nij] / ˈkɔɪ nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act, process, or right of making coins.

2. the categories, types, or quantity of coins issued by a nation.

3. coins collectively; currency.

4. the act or process of inventing words; neologizing.

5. an invented or newly created word or phrase.

   “Ecdysiast” is a coinage of H. L. Mencken.

6. anything made, invented, or fabricated.

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coinage British  

/ ˈkɔɪnɪdʒ /

noun

1. coins collectively

2. the act of striking coins

3. the currency of a country

4. the act of inventing something, esp a word or phrase

5. a newly invented word, phrase, usage, etc

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Other Word Forms

• miscoinage noun
• noncoinage noun
• recoinage noun

Etymology

Origin of coinage

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Middle French word coignaige. See coin, -age

Example Sentences

The coinage is a nod to Brünnhilde, a soprano role stereotypically portrayed as a robust figure in a horned helmet.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 12, 2026

"They represent the very earliest examples of an independent Scottish coinage and date from the 12th and 13th Centuries."

From BBC • Nov. 27, 2024

Although there have been commemorative coins circulating featuring King Charles, these new designs - officially known as definitives - markthe King's transition on to coinage that will be used daily.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2024

Some large plaques also pay tribute to historic events such as the last stagecoach robbery in Kern County in 1869, in which a gunman made off with $1,700 in coinage and gold bullion.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2024

That first day, after girding up his coinage for horns, Tyrion had lain flat on his stomach and squirmed to the edge, to poke out his head and look down.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin