WordGarden.iobanknote
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /bˈænknəʊt/
US
- /ˈbæŋkˌnoʊt/
Meanings
Noun
a piece of paper money issued as currency
Beyond the definition
It isn’t just any paper with printing on it—this is a note issued by a government or central bank that carries a value, a denomination, and legal power as money. You can use it to buy what you need, from groceries to bus tickets, because everyone accepts it for payment. You’ll often hear people call these notes "paper money" or "currency notes." In the U.S., people usually say "bill," while many other countries use "banknote" more often. Collectors even build long-term collections of rare notes, where each one can reveal something about the country that produced it.
A banknote is a negotiable piece of currency, normally made from paper or polymer, that an official issuing authority puts into circulation as legal tender. It represents a standardized unit of value and is designed for everyday exchange, so merchants and banks can accept it for goods, services, and debt settlement. Most modern notes are fiat money: their value comes from the authority of law and public trust, not from a direct metal commodity backing.
Historically, many banknotes started as receipts for deposits like gold, then became trusted as payment in their own right as systems of exchange grew. Today, anti-counterfeiting technology is built into almost every note: serial numbers, watermarks, holograms, color-shifting inks, and microprinting. Designs often show national portraits, landmarks, or symbols that reflect the country’s culture and values. So the next time you hand over a twenty-dollar bill, you’re using an official currency note tied to a much larger economic story.
Examples
- 1
Cash payment
He pulled a banknote out of his wallet and paid for the coffee.
- 2
Authenticity check
The cashier held the banknote up to the light to check it.
- 3
Collecting
She keeps old banknotes from different countries in a small album.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- currency note
- paper currency
- cash
Contrast
- coin
- digital money
Used with (collocations)
- counterfeit banknote
- issue banknotes
- banknote circulation
- banknote design
Explore
- legal tender
- denomination
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- banknotenoun