Treasury
6 synonyms for Treasury, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A government department that manages public money — its collection, storage, and spending.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Treasury
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the U.S. Treasury
treasury bond
treasury department
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English tresorie, from Old French tresorie, from tresor, meaning 'treasure', from Latin thēsaurus, meaning 'treasure', from Ancient Greek θησαυρός (thēsaurós), meaning 'treasure house'. It displaced the native Old English word māþmhūs.
Full origin of Treasury →Frequently asked questions
What does “Treasury” mean?
The word “Treasury” means a government department that manages public money — its collection, storage, and spending. In plain terms, the treasury is the part of government (or a fund) that handles money — taxes, spending, and debt.
How do you use “Treasury” in a sentence?
Here is “Treasury” used in a sentence: “The Treasury announced new tax guidelines this week.”
What part of speech is “Treasury”?
“Treasury” is a noun.
Is “Treasury” a common word?
“Treasury” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Treasury” have?
“Treasury” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a government department that manages public money — its collection, storage, and spending.
What is the difference between "treasury" and "treasure"?
A "treasury" is a government department that manages public money, or a bond it issues. "Treasure" means valuable objects such as gold, jewels, or coins. The treasury manages funds, while treasure is the wealth itself.
What is the difference between the "Treasury" and the "Exchequer"?
Both refer to the part of government that manages public finances. "Treasury" is the common modern term, while "Exchequer" is the traditional British name for the same function, seen in the title Chancellor of the Exchequer. They point to the same area of government.
What is a "Treasury bond"?
A "Treasury bond" is a debt security issued by a national treasury department to borrow money, which it later repays with interest. This matches the second sense of "treasury" as a bond issued by the government. "Treasury bill" refers to a similar but shorter-term instrument.
When should "Treasury" be capitalised?
Capitalise "Treasury" when it names a specific government department, as in "the U.S. Treasury" or "the Treasury announced." Use a lowercase "treasury" for the general idea of a place or fund where valuables and money are kept.
