denomination

American  

[dih-nom-uh-ney-shuhn] / dɪˌnɒm əˈneɪ ʃən /

noun

• denominations
  plural

1. a religious group, usually including many local churches, often larger than a sect.

   the Lutheran denomination.

2. one of the grades or degrees in a series of designations of quantity, value, measure, weight, etc..

   He paid $500 in bills of small denomination.

3. a name or designation, especially one for a class of things.

4. a class or kind of persons or things distinguished by a specific name.

5. the act of naming or designating a person or thing.

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denomination British  

/ dɪˌnɒmɪˈneɪʃən /

noun

1. a group having a distinctive interpretation of a religious faith and usually its own organization

2. a grade or unit in a series of designations of value, weight, measure, etc

   coins of this denomination are being withdrawn

3. a name given to a class or group; classification

4. the act of giving a name

5. a name; designation

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• denominational
  adjective
• denominationally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• denominations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of denomination

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English denominacioun “name, designation; act of naming or designating,” from Latin dēnōminātiōn- (stem of dēnōminātiō “calling something by other than its proper name, substitution, metonymy,” equivalent to dēnōmināt(us) + -iōn-; see origin at denominate, -ion

Explanation

A denomination is a way of classifying things — it names the type or value of something. Denomination often refers to money. For example, $20 bills are of the same denomination. When denomination is applied to money, you’ll often hear the terms “lower denomination” or “higher denomination.” If you hand the cashier a $50 bill to pay for your latte, she might ask if you have a bill in a lower denomination — she’s asking for a smaller bill, like a $5 or a $10. Denomination can apply to other things that are categorized by type, such as playing cards or groups within the same religious tradition.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

denomination denominations

The lone exception to the rule is Botswana, a democratic republic that has traditionally featured the sitting president’s portrait on its 10 pula banknote denomination.

From Salon ● Jul. 22, 2026

Rhodes, raised as a Swedenborgianist — a Christian denomination that emphasizes “divine love” based on the writings of theologian Emanuel Swedenborg — does not outright reject the comparison.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the worker’s Christian denomination celebrates the sabbath on Saturdays.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 14, 2026

Prices range from £18.50 for a £5 denomination coin and £10,535 for a gold £200 denomination coin.

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2026

I had no idea what sort of denomination Orthodox Eclectic was, but I nodded like we had a big group of them back in Sylvan.

From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd

City Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Heather Hutt also contributed, though in smaller denominations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

He said Mass at our reunion, and classmates of all denominations attended and were inspired by his homily.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Of those 31 categories, 22 are variations of Christianity, most major Protestant denominations.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

Runners-up win smaller denominations of cash and prize packages.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

We went over the denominations a few times—one cent, five cents, ten cents, twenty-five cents.

From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson

Related Words

• church
• creed
• cult
• faith
• persuasion
• religion
• sect