yuan

[ yoo-ahn; Chinese yyahn ]

/ yuˈɑn; Chinese yüɑn /

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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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of yuan

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

Other definitions 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.

Other definitions 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.

Yuan.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use yuan in a sentence

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

The authorities claimed Ai owed over 12 million yuan ($1.85 million) in unpaid taxes and fines.
The Agony and the Ecstasy of Ai Weiwei|Justin Jones|May 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yen Yuan said, "My wish is to make no boast of moral or intellectual excellence."
The Worlds Greatest Books, Volume XIII.|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
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
Yuan Shi-kai was president of the Republic, but the hope of his heart was to be emperor of China.
Camps and Trails in China|Roy Chapman Andrews and Yvette Borup Andrews

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)

Yüan¹

/ (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)

Yüan²

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