yuan

noun

yu·​an ˈyü-ən How to pronounce yuan (audio) yü-ˈän How to pronounce yuan (audio)
plural yuan
1
: the basic monetary unit of the People's Republic of China see Money Table compare renminbi
2
: the dollar of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Examples of yuan in a Sentence

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.
China has already rolled out digital yuan wallets (registration required), and the UAE has participated in cross-border CBDC initiatives such as Project mBridge. — Maghnus Mareneck, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026 In Shenzhen, a local partner for Kickstarter, called INNO100, is making about 5 million yuan ($750,000) a month at its retail store, said Baron Wang, founder of the parent entity Longham Group. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026 The handset is being sold for a promotional period at 5,699 yuan in China, which is equivalent to around $850. — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 13 Oct. 2026 Ecobank agreed a partnership with China’s payment system to enable transaction settlements in the yuan currency. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for yuan

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) yuán

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yuan was in 1917

Rhymes for yuan

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Browse Nearby Words

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yuan
Yuan
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Cite this Entry

“Yuan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yuan. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

yuan

noun
yu·​an ˈyü-ən How to pronounce yuan (audio) yu̇-ˈän How to pronounce yuan (audio)
plural yuan
1
: the basic unit of money in China
2
: a coin or bill worth one yuan

Geographical Definition

Yuan

geographical name

Yu·​an ˈywen How to pronounce Yuan (audio)
ˈywän
1
river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in southeast central China flowing from Guizhou northeast to northeastern Hunan
2
see red sense 4

More from Merriam-Webster on yuan

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yuan

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