1
: British money
2
: sterling silver or articles of it
1
a
: of, relating to, or calculated in terms of British sterling
b
: payable in sterling
2
a
of silver
: having a fixed standard of purity usually defined legally as represented by an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
b
: made of sterling silver
3
: conforming to the highest standard
sterling character
a sterling record of achievement
sterlingly
adverb
sterlingness
noun
Examples of sterling in a Sentence
Noun
a drop in the value of sterling
Adjective
a sterling example of democracy at work
credited the win to the pitcher's sterling performance on the mound
Recent Examples on the Web
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
But the record still teems with the pair’s sterling indie folk balladry, invoking the likes of torchbearers like Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison.
—Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Lily Templeton, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
In addition, a pair of stud-style earrings are listed at $275, and a sterling silver Star of David pendant at $300.
—Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sterling
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Noun
It’s been 80 years since the mighty pound sterling stepped down from its lofty pedestal of international trading currency at the Bretton Woods Agreement and handed the baton to our dear dollar.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Mar. 2025
But the record still teems with the pair’s sterling indie folk balladry, invoking the likes of torchbearers like Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison.
—Aaron Davis, Sacramento Bee, 1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Available in sterling silver 925 or 18-karat gold vermeil, they are named after the designer’s most modest residential project dating back to 1951 and intended as a gift for his wife Yvonne.
—Lily Templeton, WWD, 13 Mar. 2025
In addition, a pair of stud-style earrings are listed at $275, and a sterling silver Star of David pendant at $300.
—Natalie Venegas, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sterling
Articles Related to sterling
Cite this Entry
“Sterling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sterling. Accessed 19 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sterling
1 of 2 noun
ster·ling
ˈstər-liŋ 
1
: British money
2
: sterling silver or articles of it
sterling
2 of 2 adjective1
: of or relating to British sterling
2
: being or made of an alloy of 925 parts of silver with 75 parts of copper
sterling silver
3
Etymology
Noun
so called from the phrase "a pound sterling," meaning the British pound as a monetary unit, but originally "a pound (by weight) of sterlings," from Middle English sterling "silver penny"
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