noun
Uncommon
exchequer
ehks-CHEH-k
Exchequer (noun) means a government department responsible for managing public revenue and finances. Example: “The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer sets the annual budget.”
noun
1
A government department responsible for managing public revenue and finances.
"The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer sets the annual budget."
2
An available supply of money, especially for a particular purpose.
"The club's exchequer couldn't stretch to another signing this season."
""A couple, eh, my girl?" he replied, fishing deeply into both his trouser pockets. "You don't mean tanners by any chance? Well, that's the state of the exchequer." Two sixpences and a few coppers were the result of his investigation."
— Ernest Bramah, The Bravo of London (1934)
How to use exchequer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe government's treasury, or more casually, one's available funds.
UK vs US
Mainly a British and Commonwealth term; the US equivalent department is the Treasury.
Common pairings
Chancellor of the Exchequer
the public exchequer
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Word forms
- Plural
- exchequers
- Third person singular
- exchequers
- Past tense
- exchequered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The UK Chancellor of the _____ sets the annual budget.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman escheker, "chessboard," from Medieval Latin scaccarium — so named because medieval treasurers counted money on a chequered cloth resembling a chessboard.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for exchequer
See all rhymes for exchequer →Frequently asked questions
What does “exchequer” mean?
The word “exchequer” means a government department responsible for managing public revenue and finances. In plain terms, the government's treasury, or more casually, one's available funds.
How do you pronounce “exchequer”?
“Exchequer” is pronounced ehks-CHEH-k (/ɛksˈt͡ʃɛ.kɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “exchequer” in a sentence?
Here is “exchequer” used in a sentence: “The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer sets the annual budget.”
What part of speech is “exchequer”?
“Exchequer” is a noun.
Where does the word “exchequer” come from?
The word “exchequer” comes from Medieval Latin. From Anglo-Norman escheker, "chessboard," from Medieval Latin scaccarium — so named because medieval treasurers counted money on a chequered cloth resembling a chessboard.
Is “exchequer” a common word?
“Exchequer” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “exchequer” have?
“Exchequer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a government department responsible for managing public revenue and finances.
