demonetize

[ dee-mon-i-tahyz, -muhn- ]

/ diˈmɒn ɪˌtaɪz, -ˈmʌn- /

verb (used with object), de·mon·e·tized, de·mon·e·tiz·ing.

to divest (a monetary standard or the like) of value.

to withdraw (money or the like) from use.

to deprive (an issue of postage stamps) of validity by legal methods and without marking the stamps themselves.

Nearby words

demolitions, demon, demon star, demon-, demonetarize, demonetize, demoniac, demonian, demonic, demonism, demonize

Also especially British, de·mon·e·tise.

Origin of demonetize

From the French word démonétiser, dating back to 1850–55. See de-, monetize

Related forms

de·mon·e·ti·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for demonetization

The House or the Senate, I 've forgotten which, had passed the demonetization bill.
The Cross-Cut|Courtney Ryley Cooper
They 've passed the demonetization bill, the president 's going to sign it, and you ain't got a job.'
The Cross-Cut|Courtney Ryley Cooper
None whatever; in fact, something of the same sort was heard in Europe at the time of the demonetization of gold.
If Not Silver, What?|John W. Bookwalter
And so it was that our cotton planters, by the demonetization of silver, were placed alongside the barbarous people of India.
Money|John P. Jones

Her income and creditor classes are daily in receipt of an unearned increment to their wealth by reason of that demonetization.
Money|John P. Jones

British Dictionary definitions for demonetization

demonetize

demonetise

/ (diːˈmʌnɪˌtaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to deprive (a metal) of its capacity as a monetary standard

to withdraw from use as currency

Derived Forms

demonetization or demonetisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012