leu

¹ American  

[le-oo] / ˈlɛ ʊ /

Also ley

noun

plural

lei

1. a coin and monetary unit of Romania, equal to 100 bani. L.

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Leu ² American  

abbreviation

Biochemistry.

1. leucine.

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leu British  

/ ˈleɪuː /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Romania and Moldova, divided into 100 bani

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Etymology

Origin of leu

First recorded in 1875–80; from Romanian: literally, “lion”; based on Turkish arslanlι ( arslan “lion” + -lι adjective suffix), a name given to the Dutch rijksdaalder, which circulated in the later Ottoman Empire and bore the image of a lion ( see lion ( def. ))

Example Sentences

"Although consumer prices in Romania are largely sensitive to the exchange rate, it could soon allow the central bank to let leu depreciate slightly."

From Reuters • Jul. 6, 2023

The Romanian leu was flat against the euro on the day but down 1.7% overall this year, the region's worst performer.

From Reuters • Sep. 28, 2021

Otter stated that he had directed the state’s Department of Administration to immediately pay for the entire program through the end of fiscal year 2013-2014 in leu of the withheld federal payments.

From Washington Times • Jul. 12, 2015

In Sighisoara, young and old lined up in the rain to pay one leu for truly piping-hot covrigi at the sales window of Gigi.

From New York Times • Jan. 27, 2014

Through a skein of fog, the sun gleamed as hard and silver as a freshly minted leu.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros