cash in

verb

cashed in; cashing in; cashes in

transitive verb

: to obtain cash for
cashed in the bonds

intransitive verb

1
a
: to retire from a gambling game
b
: to settle accounts and withdraw from an involvement (such as a business deal)
2
: to obtain advantage or financial profit
—often used with on
cash in on a bestseller

Examples of cash in in a Sentence

some observers thought the lawyers were cashing in on the tragedy
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Williams returned the pick 65 yards, but the Chiefs couldn’t cash in on the opportunity. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026 Households are also encouraged to keep cash in case card payments and ATMs go down. — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2026 But in booms of the past, small and midsize drillers would have jumped to cash in. — Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Hollywell immediately drops cash in the tip jar and then stands back to soak up the music. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cash in

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of cash in was in 1888

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cash in.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cash%20in. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

cash in

verb
1
: to obtain cash for
cashed in her bonds
2
: to benefit financially
souvenir sellers cashed in at the fair
cashing in on their brother's fame
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