tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s  ˈten(t)ths 

1

: one that is number ten in a series

the tenth of February

She was the tenth in line.

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of ten equal parts of something

He sold the car for a tenth of its value.

3

a

: a musical interval embracing an octave and a third

b

: the tone at this interval

tenth adjective or adverb

the tenth floor

the world's tenth largest company

Examples of tenth in a Sentence

He was tenth in line.

He traded stocks for one tenth their face value.

I only paid a tenth of what you did for that jacket.

Recent Examples on the Web

In Washington, Reagan National Airport recorded only two-tenths of an inch of rain throughout August, Roys said. —John Bacon, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. —Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025

Verstappen was more than two-tenths away from both McLaren cars during the deciding qualifying session. —Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025

This is likely because the event occurred at about one-tenth the rate of current anthropogenic climate change. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tenth

• tenth-rate

Kids Definition

tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s 

ˈten(t)ths

1

: one that is number 10 in a series see number

2

: one of 10 equal parts of something

3

: the one numbered 10 in a countable series

tenth adjective or adverb