lempira

American  

[lem-peer-uh] / lɛmˈpɪər ə /

noun

1. a paper money and monetary unit of Honduras, equal to 100 centavos. L.

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lempira British  

/ lɛmˈpɪərə /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Honduras, divided into 100 centavos

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Etymology

Origin of lempira

First recorded in 1930–35; from Latin American Spanish; named after Lempira (1497–1537), a war chief of the Lenca people of western Honduras, who was killed fighting the Spanish conquistadors in 1537

Example Sentences

The young family survived on Noel Ladino’s precarious salary of 100 lempiras a day, the equivalent of $4, when he could find work, which is scarce in the area, Garcia said.

From Reuters

They say his wife also had 10 bank accounts with roughly 2.7 million lempiras, or $110,000, for which the origin couldn’t be traced.

From Seattle Times

A local policeman showed up at her door one night and demanded weekly protection payment of 1,500 lempiras, about $60.

From Washington Post

When she heard of the caravan forming in San Pedro Sula just 50 miles away, Mejia borrowed 500 lempiras from a friend, packed her daughter’s backpack and boarded a bus to the capital.

From Washington Post

Isaac borrowed 200 Honduran lempiras — about $8 — from his boss, a vegetable vendor.

From Washington Post