Purse Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

The Britannica Dictionary mobile search

• Home
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Quizzes
• Core Vocabulary
• Browse the Dictionary

×

• Britannica Homepage
• Ask the Editor
• Word of the Day
• Quizzes
• Core Vocabulary
• Browse the Dictionary

The Britannica Dictionary purse 5 ENTRIES FOUND:

• purse (noun)
• purse (verb)
• change purse (noun)
• privy purse (noun)
• string (noun)

1 purse /ˈpɚs/ noun plural purses 1 purse /ˈpɚs/ noun plural purses Britannica Dictionary definition of PURSE 1 [count] a US : a usually leather or cloth bag used by women for carrying money and personal things : handbag b chiefly British : change purse 2 [singular] : an amount of money that a person, organization, or government has available to use

• Many believe the work should be financed by the public purse. [=should be paid for by the government]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 [count] : an amount of money that is offered as a prize in a competition (such as a horse race, a golf tournament, or a boxing match)

• a golf tournament with a million dollar purse

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

purse strings

◊ A person, organization, or government that holds/controls the purse strings makes the decisions about how money is spent.

• The museum's board of directors holds/controls the purse strings.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ When a person, organization, or government tightens the purse strings, less money is available for spending.

• School administrators are already tightening (the) purse strings.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ◊ When a person, organization, or government loosens the purse strings, more money is available for spending.

• Companies are expected to loosen the purse strings as the economy improves.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 purse /ˈpɚs/ verb purses; pursed; pursing 2 purse /ˈpɚs/ verb purses; pursed; pursing Britannica Dictionary definition of PURSE [+ object] : to form (your lips) into a tight circle or line

• She pursed her lips in concentration.
• His lips were tightly pursed.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR

What are the plural forms of check-in, passerby, and spoonful? See the answer »

QUIZZES Vocabulary Quiz Test your word power Take the Quiz » Name That Thing Take our visual quiz Test Your Knowledge » WORD OF THE DAY

unconscious : not awake especially because of an injury, drug, etc. Learn More »

1. About Us & Legal Info
2. Contact Us
3. Privacy Notice
4. Terms of Use
5. Pronunciation Symbols
6. Help

© 2026 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.