WordGarden.iotoken
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈəʊkən/
US
- /ˈtoʊkən/
Meanings
Noun
a sign, symbol, or small thing that stands as evidence of a feeling, fact, or intention
a coin-like piece, voucher, or unit used in place of money for payment, access, or play
a piece of digital data used by software to identify a session, authorize access, or prove permission
More meaningsFewer meanings
a digital asset or unit issued on a blockchain or similar platform
an individual occurrence or parsed unit of a word, symbol, or other element in language or code
Adjective
merely symbolic or included only to create an appearance of effort, inclusion, or compliance
Beyond the definition
A token is not always about money. It can be anything that represents something else. Think of a subway token that lets you enter the train system, or a gift given as a token of appreciation. It is often a small thing with a big meaning. In the past, tokens were sometimes used instead of official coins when real money was not easy to get. Today, we also use "token" for something small and symbolic. A "token gesture," for example, is a small act meant to show goodwill, but it does not do very much by itself.
The word "token" has a fascinating history and several distinct meanings. At its heart, a token is something that stands in place of something else: a symbol or representation. Imagine a wedding ring; it is a simple band of metal, but it is a powerful token of love and commitment. Or consider a peace offering, a small gift given as a token of reconciliation.
Historically, tokens were often physical objects used as substitutes for money when coins were scarce. These could be made of wood, lead, or other materials, and served as local currency in specific communities. Today, we still use "token" to refer to things that grant access or represent value—like a subway token, a casino chip, or even a digital security token used for online authentication.
However, "token" can also describe something small and symbolic that is often insufficient on its own. A "token gesture" is an attempt to show goodwill or make amends, but it lacks real substance. For example, sending flowers after causing someone significant harm might be considered a token gesture if no genuine apology is offered. Similarly, "token representation" refers to including just one member of a minority group in a larger setting, often as a superficial effort toward diversity.
In computer science, a "token" is a meaningful unit within a stream of text—like a word or punctuation mark—used for parsing and analysis. So, whether it is a physical object, a symbolic gesture, or a piece of data, a token always represents something beyond itself—a value, an idea, or access to something more substantial.
Examples
- 1
Locker access
You need a token to use the locker at the pool.
- 2
Appreciation
As a token of appreciation, the team bought their coach a framed photo.
- Patternas a token of + feeling
as a small sign of it
- 3
Arcade tokens
The old arcade still uses metal tokens instead of coins.
- 4
Symbolic payment
The company offered a token payment after the long delay.
- Phrasetoken payment
a very small amount, often more symbolic than useful
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Insincere gesture
Her apology felt like a token gesture, not a real attempt to fix the problem.
- Phrasetoken gesture
an action that seems symbolic and not sincere enough
- 6
Same reasoning
He says he wants more freedom; by the same token, he has to accept more responsibility.
- Phraseby the same token
for the same reason
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- thing itself
Used with (collocations)
- a token of appreciation
- a token gesture
- access token
Word family
- tokenism
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tokennounadjective
Forms
- tokenspluralnounadjective