demonetize

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

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.

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

Origin of demonetize

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

Related formsde·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

Historical Examples of demonetization

The House or the Senate, I 've forgotten which, had passed the demonetization bill.
The Cross-Cut
Courtney Ryley Cooper
But what shall be said in defense of the demonetization of silver by the United States?
Money
John P. Jones
He's our greatest authority on the demonetization of wampum.
The Main Chance
Meredith Nicholson
It is the fact of monetization for one of the metals, and demonetization for the other.
The Arena
Various
The demonetization of silver, which has taken place in various countries.
The Bay State Monthly, Volume 3, No. 2
Various

British Dictionary definitions for demonetization

demonetize

demonetise

verb (tr)

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

to withdraw from use as currency

Derived Formsdemonetization 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

Word Origin and History for demonetization

1852, from French démonétisation, from démonetiser (see demonetize).

demonetize

1852, from French démonitiser, from de- (see de-) + monetiser (see monetize).