guinea

noun

guin·​ea ˈgi-nē 

1

: an English gold coin issued from 1663 to 1813 and fixed in 1717 at 21 shillings

2

: a unit of value equal to one pound and one shilling

Examples of guinea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Carter is also rightly lauded for the achievements of his post-presidency—from conflict mediation to guinea worm eradication in Africa to Habitat for Humanity. —Jane Harman, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024

Among the center's many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. —Brian Smith, arkansasonline.com, 29 Dec. 2024

In 1782, they were tasked with apprehending Hessian deserters, earning a reward of two guineas for each one recovered, whether dead or alive. —Kinsey Gidick, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Dec. 2024

Many grasses, such as the buffel, molasses and guinea types that fueled the Hawaii fires — as well as fountain and feather grasses -- are considered highly flammable. —Jessica Damiano, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Guinea, Africa, supposed source of the gold from which it was made

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

guinea

noun

guin·​ea ˈgin-ē 

1

: an English gold coin no longer issued worth 21 shillings

2

: a former unit of value equal to 21 shillings

Geographical Definition

Guinea

geographical name

Guin·​ea ˈgi-nē 

variants or French Guinée

gē-ˈnā 

1

region of western Africa bordering on the Atlantic from Gambia (on the north) to Angola (on the south)

2

or formerly French Guinea republic in western Africa bordering on the Atlantic; formerly a territory of French West Africa; capital Conakry area 94,926 square miles (245,857 square kilometers), population 11,855,000

Guinean

ˈgi-nē-ən 

adjective or noun