1
a
: a piece resembling a coin issued for use (as for fare on a bus) by a particular group on specified terms
b
: a piece resembling a coin issued as money by some person or body other than a de jure government
c
: a unit of a cryptocurrency
Bitcoin tokens
2
: an outward sign or expression
his tears were tokens of his grief
3
4
b
: a small part representing the whole : indication
this is only a token of what we hope to accomplish
c
: something given or shown as a guarantee (as of authority, right, or identity)
5
: a member of a group (such as a minority) that is included within a larger group through tokenism
especially
: a token employee
6
: a distinguishing feature : characteristic
1
a
: representing no more than a symbolic effort : minimal, perfunctory
token resistance
token integration
b
: serving or intended to show absence of discrimination
a token female employee
2
: done or given as a token especially in partial fulfillment of an obligation or engagement
a token payment
Synonyms
Examples of token in a Sentence
Noun
please accept this parting gift as a token of our lasting affection
Adjective
All the people who work there are men except for a couple of token women.
The ad campaign features a few token minorities.
Recent Examples on the Web
Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Issuing a token could help the platform increase activity, draw new users, and reward its existing community.
—Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Many Web3 companies prioritize token launches, which often provide fast, high-return capital without the long-term commitments or operational responsibilities that come with building robust infrastructure.
—Tomer Niv, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for token 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Trump has already appointed two pro-crypto candidates, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to lead the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE (also a ticker symbol for Dogecoin, a meme token promoted by Musk).
—Deena Zaidi, Quartz, 13 Nov. 2024
Issuing a token could help the platform increase activity, draw new users, and reward its existing community.
—Marie Poteriaieva, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Both great powers and smaller states know by now that the best way to deal with Trump is to shower him with pomp and circumstance, abstain from fact-checking him in public, make flashy but token concessions, and remain secure that by and large their core interests will be preserved.
—Daniel W. Drezner, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
Many Web3 companies prioritize token launches, which often provide fast, high-return capital without the long-term commitments or operational responsibilities that come with building robust infrastructure.
—Tomer Niv, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for token
Dictionary Entries Near token
Cite this Entry
“Token.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/token. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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