banknote UK /ˈbæŋknəʊ̯t/US /ˈbæŋkˌnoʊ̯t/ noun2 •A piece of currency made of paper or polymer. •(historical) A promissory note issued by a bank, payable at a given time to a specific beneficiary.Was Captain Macheath here this Morning, for the Bank-notes he left with you last Week? — 1728 formsbanknotes