token

/ˈtoʊkən/
noun
  1. A small object that represents something else, often used as a substitute for money or as a symbol of value.
    • She collected subway tokens from different cities.
    • The arcade gives you tokens to play the games.
    • He handed the bus driver a token instead of cash.
  2. A sign or symbol of a feeling, fact, or event.
    • The ring was a token of his love.
    • The white flag is a token of surrender.
    • They gave her a watch as a token of appreciation.
  3. A digital unit of value used in a blockchain or cryptocurrency system.
    • You can trade tokens on the exchange.
    • She invested in several different crypto tokens.
    • The company launched its own token for online purchases.
  4. A person or thing chosen to represent a group, often in a superficial way.
    • The committee added one woman as a token.
    • He felt he was hired as a token minority.
    • They made her the token representative of the youth.
adjective
  1. Done or given as a small symbolic gesture, often without real effect.
    • The company made a token effort to reduce waste.
    • They offered a token payment of just one dollar.
    • Her token apology did not satisfy anyone.
  2. Chosen to represent a group in a way that seems superficial or insincere.
    • The token minority member had no real power.
    • The board appointed a token woman to the position.
    • It was a token gesture to include one student on the panel.