1. the former monetary unit of Brazil, replaced by the real in 1994
Usage: historical

Examples

• The cruzeiro was Brazil’s currency for many decades.
• Hyperinflation severely devalued the cruzeiro in the 1980s.
• Prices were often quoted in millions of cruzeiros during the economic crisis.
• The government replaced the cruzeiro with the real to stabilize the economy.
• Old cruzeiro banknotes are now collector’s items.
• Many Brazilians lost savings when the cruzeiro collapsed.