A token is a small object that represents something else or serves as proof of something. In its simplest form, a token might be a metal disk you use at an arcade instead of coins, or a plastic chip that shows you've paid to ride the subway. The token itself isn't valuable, but it stands in for money or permission.

The word has grown to mean other kinds of symbols too. A token of appreciation might be a small gift you give someone to show you're grateful, like baking cookies for a neighbor who helped you. The cookies aren't payment; they're a gesture that represents your thanks.

In games, tokens are often small pieces you move around a board or use to keep track of points. In computer science, a token is a piece of data that proves you're allowed to access something, like a digital key that lets you into a secure website.

People also use token (as an adjective) to describe something included just for appearance's sake, not because it truly matters. If a club adds one new member from a different background just to look inclusive while keeping all the real power with the original group, that person might be called a “token member.” This usage often points out unfairness: when someone's presence is symbolic rather than meaningful.