rial

¹ American  

[ree-awl, -ahl] / riˈɔl, -ˈɑl /

noun

1. a silver or cupronickel coin and monetary unit of Iran, equal to 100 dinars.

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rial ² American  

[rahy-uhl] / ˈraɪ əl /

noun

1. ryal.

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rial ³ American  

[ree-awl, -ahl] / riˈɔl, -ˈɑl /

noun

1. riyal.

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rial British  

/ ˈraɪəl /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Iran

2. the standard monetary unit of Oman, divided into 1000 baizas

3. another name for riyal

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Etymology

Origin of rial

First recorded in 1930–35; from Persian, from Arabic riyāl riyal

Example Sentences

Widespread demonstrations that erupted in Iran in late December were sparked by the dramatic devaluation of the rial.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

Then the rial, Iran’s currency, began to collapse.

From Salon • Jan. 17, 2026

Traders can't function with the falling value of the currency, the rial.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

The demonstrations, which began Dec. 28, were sparked by a catastrophic crash of Iran’s currency, the rial.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026

A rial of eight, or Spanish dollar, is worth there in ordinary payment only seven mas, or three shillings and sixpence sterling, one mas being equal to a single rial.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 09 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert