number

¹num·ber

noun \ˈnəm-bər\

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

plural a (1) : metrical structure : meter (2) : metrical lines : verses b archaic : musical sounds : notes

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>

See Usage Discussion at amount

number table

— by the numbers

1

: in unison to a specific count or cadence

2

: in a systematic, routine, or mechanical manner

Examples of NUMBER

1. the numbers and letters on a license plate
2. a three-digit number like 429
3. Think of a number between one and one hundred.
4. The number 7{frac3 is greater than the number 7.25.
5. 2, 4, 6, and 8 are even numbers; 1, 3, 5, and 7 are odd numbers.
6. Never give out your credit card number to anyone over the phone.
7. What's the account number on your electricity bill?
8. The page numbers are on the top corner of each page.
9. Today's winning lottery numbers are 17, 8, and 46.
10. I'm waiting for the number 3 bus.

Origin of NUMBER

Middle English nombre, from Anglo-French, from Latin numerus

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NUMBER

Synonyms: digit, figure, integer, numeral, numeric, whole number

Antonyms: big shot, big wheel, bigwig, eminence, figure, kahuna, kingpin, magnate, nabob, personage, somebody, VIP

Related Words: decimal, fraction; cipher; symbol

Near Antonyms: chief, head, lead, leader; celebrity, luminary, notable, personality, planet, star, superstar; authority, superior; great power, party, power

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

Rhymes with NUMBER

cumber, Humber, lumbar, lumber, slumber, umber