pecuniary

American  

[pi-kyoo-nee-er-ee] / pɪˈkyu niˌɛr i /

adjective

1. of or relating to money.

   pecuniary difficulties.

2. consisting of or given or exacted in money or monetary payments.

   pecuniary tributes.

3. (of a crime, violation, etc.) involving a money penalty or fine.

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pecuniary British  

/ pɪˈkjuːnɪərɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of or relating to money

2. law (of an offence) involving a monetary penalty

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Related Words

See financial.

Other Word Forms

• nonpecuniary adjective
• pecuniarily adverb

Etymology

Origin of pecuniary

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin pecūniārius, derivative of pecūnia “property, money (wealth in cattle),” derivative of pecū “flock”; peculiar, fief ( def. )

Example Sentences

"ASIC is seeking declarations, pecuniary penalties, and adverse publicity orders against Westpac from the Court."

From Reuters • Sep. 4, 2023

Ms Alemi denies 13 counts of fraud, three of obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception, two of forgery and two of using a false instrument.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2023

These state programs “are unbiased and don’t have a pecuniary interest in your decision making,” Mr. Lipschutz said.

From New York Times • Nov. 5, 2022

Furthermore, the law governing fraudulent securing of document execution in Texas requires that signing the document would harm the “property or service or pecuniary interest of any person.”

From Slate • Oct. 4, 2022

They took care to engage the temple priesthood, which was essentially a system of religious corporations with their own pecuniary interests.

From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro