yuan

[ yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn ]

/ yuˈɑn; Chinese yüɑn /

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.

Nearby words

yttrium metal, yttrium oxide, yttrotantalite, yu, yu-wei, yuan, yuan shi kai, yuandan, yuba city, yuca, yucaipa

Origin of yuan

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

Definition for yuan (2 of 3)

Yuan

[ yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn ]

/ yuˈɑn; Chinese yüɑn /

noun (sometimes lowercase)

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

Definition for yuan (3 of 3)

Yüan

[ yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn ]

/ yuˈɑn; Chinese yüɑn /

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
“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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
He was always kind to Yuan Ki, even as he was to the others.
"Say Fellows--"|Wade C. Smith
The majority in Parliament was opposed to Yuan, but he had the preponderance in military strength.
The Problem of China|Bertrand Russell
On the 1st of January 1909, however, the political situation was rudely disturbed by the dismissal from office of Yuan Shih-kai.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 2|Various
According to news from the President's palace the condition of Yuan became critical at three o'clock in the morning.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews
At once Yuan Shih-kai realized that the Nemesis which had dogged his footsteps all his life was again close behind him.
The Fight For The Republic in China|Bertram Lenox Putnam Weale

British Dictionary definitions for yuan (1 of 3)

yuan

/ (ˈjuːˈæn) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for yuan (2 of 3)

Yüan

/ (ˈjuːˈæn) /

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

British Dictionary definitions for yuan (3 of 3)

Yüan

Yen (ˈjuːˈɛn)

/ (ˈjuːˈæn) /

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

yuan

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