Dictionary
1number
noun num·ber \ˈnəm-bər\
: a word or symbol (such as “five” or “16”) that represents a specific amount or quantity
: a number or a set of numbers and other symbols that is used to identify a person or thing
: a person who is identified by a number and not treated in a personal or friendly way
Full Definition of NUMBER
1
a (1) : a sum of units : total (2) : complement 1b (3) : an indefinite usually large total <a number of members were absent> <the number of elderly is rising> (4) plural : a numerous group : many (5) : a numerical preponderance b (1) : the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or of a collection by which it is treated in terms of units (2) : an ascertainable total <bugs beyond number> c (1) : a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject to specified laws of succession, addition, and multiplication; especially : natural number (2) : an element (as π) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension of or analogy with the natural number system (3) plural : arithmetic
2
: a distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one; also : a form or group of forms so distinguished
3
4
a : a word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number b : a numeral or combination of numerals or other symbols used to identify or designate <dialed the wrong number> c (1) : a member of a sequence or collection designated by especially consecutive numbers (as an issue of a periodical) (2) : a position in a numbered sequence d : a group of one kind <not of their number>
5
: one singled out from a group : individual: as a : girl, woman <met an attractive number at the dance> b (1) : a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production (2) : routine, act c : stunt, trick d : an act of transforming or impairing <tripped and did a number on her knee> e : an item of merchandise and especially clothing
6
: insight into a person's ability or character <had my number>
7
plural but sing or plural in constr a : a form of lottery in which an individual wagers on the appearance of a certain combination of digits (as in regularly published numbers) —called also numbers game b : 2policy 2a
8
plural a : figures representing amounts of money usually in dollars spent, earned, or involved b (1) : statistics 2; especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete) (2) : rating 3c
9
: a person represented by a number or considered without regard to individuality <at the university I was just a number>
10
: lifetime 1a —used with up <the old feeling that comes to men in combat … that your number was up — Geoffrey Norman>
number table
See number defined for English-language learners
See number defined for kids
Usage Discussion of NUMBER
Number is regularly used with count nouns <a large number of mistakes> <any number of times> while amount is mainly used with mass nouns <annual amount of rainfall> <a substantial amount of money>. The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or collection <glad to furnish any amount of black pebbles — New Yorker> <a substantial amount of film offers — Lily Tomlin> or when money is involved <a substantial amount of loans — E. R. Black>.
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Origin of NUMBER
Middle English nombre, from Anglo-French, from Latin numerus
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to NUMBER
Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms
2number
verb
: to give a number to (someone or something in a series) : to label or identify (people or things in a series) with a number
: to include (someone or something) as part of a larger group
num·berednum·ber·ing \-b(ə-)riŋ\
Full Definition of NUMBER
transitive verb
2
: to claim as part of a total : include
3
: to restrict to a definite number <your days are numbered>
4
: to assign a number to <number the pages>
5
: to amount to in number : total <the crew numbers 100>
intransitive verb
1
: to reach a total number
2
: to call off numbers in sequence
— num·ber·able \-b(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective
— num·ber·er \-bər-ər\ noun
See number defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of NUMBER
14th century
NUMBERED Defined for Kids
1number
noun num·ber \ˈnəm-bər\
Definition of NUMBER for Kids
1
: the total of persons, things, or units taken together : amount <What is the number of people in the room?>
2
: a total that is not specified <… the mermaids come up in extraordinary numbers to play with their bubbles. — J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan>
3
: a unit belonging to a mathematical system and subject to its rules <Tell me a number divisible by 2.>
4
: a word, symbol, or letter used to represent a mathematical number : numeral <the number 5>
5
: a certain numeral for telling one person or thing from another or from others <a house number>
6
: a quality of a word form that shows whether the word is singular or plural <A verb agrees in number with its subject.>
7
: one of a series <You're number seven on the waiting list.>
8
: a song or dance usually that is part of a larger performance <The band played a catchy number.>
2number
verb
num·berednum·ber·ing
Definition of NUMBER for Kids
1
: 1count 1 <The grains of sand cannot be numbered.>
2
: include <I was numbered among the guests.>
3
: to limit to a certain number <Vacation days are numbered now.>
4
: to give a number to <Number the pages of your journal.>
5
: to add up to or have a total of <Our group numbered ten in all.>
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