lira

American  

[leer-uh, lee-rah] / ˈlɪər ə, ˈli rɑ /

noun

plural

lire, liras

1. a coin and monetary unit of Italy until the euro was adopted, equal to 100 centesimi. L., Lit.

2. a monetary unit of Malta, San Marino, and the Vatican City until the euro was adopted.

3. a silver, bronze, or chrome steel coin and monetary unit of Turkey, equal to 100 kurus; equal to 100 piasters before 1933; Turkish pound. TL.

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lira British  

/ ˈlɪərə, ˈliːra /

noun

1. the former standard monetary unit of Italy, San Marino, and the Vatican City, divided into 100 centesimi; replaced by the euro in 2002

2. Also called: pound.  the standard monetary unit of Turkey, divided into 100 kuruş

3. the former standard monetary unit of Malta, divided into 100 cents or 1000 mils; replaced by the euro in 2008

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Etymology

Origin of lira

1610–20; < Italian < Old Provençal lieura < Latin lībra pound

Example Sentences

Elsewhere, Turkey has drawn down about 60 metric tons from its reserves since the conflict began — about $8 billion worth of gold — to defend the lira, she said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 4, 2026

The U.S. dollar nevertheless hit a record high against the Turkish lira on Wednesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

The volatility of the lira creates foreign-exchange risk.

From Barron's • Dec. 24, 2025

Aydinlik says his cut per hire is about 40 Turkish lira, or $1.25.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 14, 2024

I paid him when it was over and tipped him half a lira.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway