yuan

[yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn]

noun, plural yu·an.

Also called yuan dollar. a copper coin of the Republic of China, equal to 100 cents; dollar.
a paper money, brass or cupronickel coin, and monetary unit of the People's Republic of China, equal to 10 jiao or 100 fen.

Origin of yuan

1915–20; < Chinese yuán literally, round, circular; cf. yen¹

Yuan

[yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn]

noun (sometimes lowercase)

(in the Republic of China) a department of government; council.

Yüan

[yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn]

noun

the Mongol dynasty in China, 1260–1368, founded by Kublai Khan.
Yüen.

Also Pinyin, Yu·an.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for yuan

Contemporary Examples of yuan

They make a monthly salary of between 1,000 and 3,000 Yuan, or $160 to $480, along with free room and board.
China Has a Dwarf Amusement Park
Nina Strochlic
June 5, 2014
To Yuan, the most surprising top brand is Marlboro, which checks in at No. 9.
Yes We Can Still Market: Why U.S. Brands Remain World’s Most Valuable
Daniel Gross
June 1, 2014
One of the big shifts that Yuan notes is the rise and dominance of technology.
Yes We Can Still Market: Why U.S. Brands Remain World’s Most Valuable
Daniel Gross
June 1, 2014
“We have one of the most competitive markets in the world,” said Yuan.
Yes We Can Still Market: Why U.S. Brands Remain World’s Most Valuable
Daniel Gross
June 1, 2014
He can do this up to five times a day, and is paid in Renmenbi, or yuan, the Chinese currency.
Inside China's Underground Black Market Banks
Brendon Hong
February 26, 2014

Historical Examples of yuan

As to the other of the two scholars, Yuan Dschau, he was not so fortunate.
The Chinese Fairy Book
Various
We have described his reception of the traveller Yuan Chwang.
The Outline of History: Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind
Herbert George Wells
It seemed to be the beginning of the end, for Yuan had lost his nerve.
Camps and Trails in China
Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews
He was always kind to Yuan Ki, even as he was to the others.
"Say Fellows--"
Wade C. Smith
This was Yuan Ki's way of making the teacher "keep his distance."
"Say Fellows--"
Wade C. Smith

British Dictionary definitions for yuan

yuan

noun plural -an

the standard monetary unit of China, divided into 10 jiao and 100 fenAlso called: renminbi, renminbi yuan

Word Origin for yuan

from Chinese yüan round object; see yen 1

Yüan

noun

the imperial dynasty of China from 1279 to 1368

adjective

of or relating to the Chinese porcelain produced during the Yüan dynasty, characterized by the appearance of under-glaze blue-and-white ware

Yüan

Yen (ˈjuːˈɛn)

noun

a river in SE central China, rising in central Guizhou province and flowing northeast to Lake Tungting. Length: about 800 km (500 miles)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for yuan

Chinese unit of currency introduced 1914, from Chinese yuan "round, round object, circle."