token
Token (noun) means a small object, coin, or piece of metal or plastic used in place of money, such as for a subway turnstile or arcade machine. Example: “You need a token to get through the old subway turnstiles.”
How to use token
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stand-in for something else — a coin-like object used instead of cash, a symbolic gesture, a small keepsake, or (in computing) a chunk of data or text.
As an adjective ("a token effort," "a token gesture"), it implies the act is minimal and just for show — don't use it to describe a sincere, significant effort.
Word forms
more token comparative, tokened past tense, tokens plural, tokens singular, most token superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You need a _____ to get through the old subway turnstiles.
Etymology
From Old English "tācn" ("sign, symbol"), ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to show" or "to teach."
Related words
Rhymes for token
See all rhymes for token →Frequently asked questions
What does “token” mean?
The word “token” means a small object, coin, or piece of metal or plastic used in place of money, such as for a subway turnstile or arcade machine. In plain terms, a stand-in for something else — a coin-like object used instead of cash, a symbolic gesture, a small keepsake, or (in computing) a chunk of data or text.
How do you pronounce “token”?
“Token” is pronounced TOH-kuhn (/ˈtoʊkən/ in IPA).
How do you use “token” in a sentence?
Here is “token” used in a sentence: “You need a token to get through the old subway turnstiles.”
What part of speech is “token”?
Depending on how it is used, “token” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “token” come from?
The word “token” comes from Old English. From Old English "tācn" ("sign, symbol"), ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to show" or "to teach.".
Is “token” a common word?
“Token” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “token” have?
“Token” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small object, coin, or piece of metal or plastic used in place of money, such as for a subway turnstile or arcade machine.
What is the difference between a token and a coin?
A token is a small object, coin, or piece of metal or plastic used in place of money for a specific purpose, such as a subway turnstile or arcade machine, while a coin is official currency issued by a government and accepted as legal tender broadly. Tokens typically only have value within a limited system, unlike coins.
What is the difference between a token and a digital token or cryptocurrency token?
A traditional token is a physical object used in place of money for a specific purpose, while a digital token is a digital asset created and managed on a blockchain, representing value, ownership, or access within a digital system. Both share the idea of standing in for something of value, but one is physical and the other exists purely on a blockchain.
What does it mean when something is described as a token gesture?
A token gesture, using the adjective sense of token, is done only to give the appearance of meeting a requirement rather than as a genuine effort, such as a token apology or token effort. This use implies minimal real substance behind the action.
What is a token in the context of AI or computer processing?
In computing and AI, a token is a unit of text, such as a word or part of a word, that a computer program or AI model processes. Language models break text into tokens to analyze and generate language, and the number of tokens affects processing limits and cost.