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yuan

1 American  
[yoo-ahn, yyahn] / yuˈɑn, yüɑn /

noun

plural

yuan
  1. Also called yuan dollar.  a copper coin of the Republic of China, equal to 100 cents; dollar.

  2. a paper money, brass or cupronickel coin, and monetary unit of the People's Republic of China, equal to 10 jiao or 100 fen.


Yuan 2 American  
[yoo-ahn, yyahn] / yuˈɑn, yüɑn /

noun

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


Yüan 3 American  
[yoo-ahn, yyahn] / yuˈɑn, yüɑn /

noun

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

  2. Yuan.


Yüan 1 British  
/ ˈjuːˈæn /

noun

  1. the imperial dynasty of China from 1279 to 1368

"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

adjective

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

"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
Yüan 2 British  
/ ˈjuːˈæn, ˈjuːˈɛn /

noun

  1. 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

yuan 3 British  
/ ˈjuːˈæn /

noun

  1. Also called: renminbi.   renminbi yuan.  the standard monetary unit of China, divided into 10 jiao and 100 fen

"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

Etymology

Origin of yuan

1915–20; < Chinese yuán literally, round, circular; yen 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

More widespread use of the yuan could push up demand and the value of the currency versus the dollar, eroding China’s competitive advantage and hurting its exporters.

From The Wall Street Journal

A stable yuan and banks’ stabilizing profit margins have created room for rate cuts, Zou said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, a weaker yuan, a strong supply of goods and inflation in Western countries have also made Chinese exports more attractive.

From BBC

China's Ministry of Finance said in 2021 a total of 13.2 billion yuan in funds had been distributed for clean heating across Hebei.

From Barron's

One of these men, who goes by the name Mr Guo, told Chinese media that they intended to raise money by selling 10% of the company for a million yuan.

From BBC