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

Escondido accounted for about a tenth of the county’s output and employment. —Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Westwood star guard Kavian Bryant grabbed the rebound, but turned the ball back over to Paradise with 8 tenths of a second left. —Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Mar. 2026

The track’s signature section is its nine-tenths-of-a-mile backstretch between Turns 9 and 10. —John Sturbin, Dallas Morning News, 13 Mar. 2026

That is the highest in the nation, but down a tenth of a point since November. —Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2026

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