central bank

noun

: a national bank that operates to establish monetary and fiscal policy and to control the money supply and interest rate
central banker noun

Examples of central bank 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.
In other words, Treasury has begun conducting open market operations, the buying and selling of securities to influence financial conditions, which is the central bank’s traditional tool. — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026 That heightens the importance of what Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh might say next week at the central bank's annual symposium at Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to calm bond investors. — Sarah Min, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2026 Further disruption could weaken the rial, push inflation toward triple digits, and deepen an economic contraction currently estimated at 5%, a former Iranian central bank adviser told CNBC. — semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026 Many Federal Reserve officials think the central bank will have to lift its key short-term interest rate in the coming months if inflation doesn’t subside, minutes of the Fed’s meeting last month showed. — Christopher Rugaber, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for central bank

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of central bank was in 1841

Rhymes for central bank

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Browse Nearby Words

Central Asian
central bank
Central Basin
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Cite this Entry

“Central bank.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/central%20bank. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Legal Definition

central bank

see also:
bank

More from Merriam-Webster on central bank

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about central bank

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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