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

When should I use don't and doesn't? For example, is it "he don't like ice cream" or "he doesn't like ice cream?" 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

forbidden fruit : something that is attractive because it is not allowed Learn More »

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

1. d="M0 12c0 5.123 3.211 9.497 7.73 11.218-.11-.937-.227-2.482.025-3.566.217-.932 1.401-5.938 1.401-5.938s-.357-.715-.357-1.774c0-1.66.962-2.9 2.161-2.9 1.02 0 1.512.765 1.512 1.682 0 1.025-.653 2.557-.99 3.978-.281 1.189.597 2.159 1.769 2.159 2.123 0 3.756-2.239 3.756-5.471 0-2.861-2.056-4.86-4.991-4.86-3.398 0-5.393 2.549-5.393 5.184 0 1.027.395 2.127.889 2.726a.36.36 0 0 1 .083.343c-.091.378-.293 1.189-.332 1.355-.053.218-.173.265-.4.159-1.492-.694-2.424-2.875-2.424-4.627 0-3.769 2.737-7.229 7.892-7.229 4.144 0 7.365 2.953 7.365 6.899 0 4.117-2.595 7.431-6.199 7.431-1.211 0-2.348-.63-2.738-1.373 0 0-.599 2.282-.744 2.84-.282 1.084-1.064 2.456-1.549 3.235C9.584 23.815 10.77 24 12 24c6.627 0 12-5.373 12-12S18.627 0 12 0 0 5.373 0 12">

© 2026 Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.