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 sum, that means fewer than a tenth of all House seats are even somewhat competitive. — Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026

That would have dedicated more than a tenth of the NIH’s annual budget to investigating a hypothesis already refuted by scientists worldwide. — CNN Money, 16 July 2026

Rain totaling a tenth to quarter-inch is expected from Lake Tahoe south to Yosemite between Monday and Tuesday, with brief but intense afternoon thunderstorms posing a dry lightning risk. — Sean MacAday 13, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026

Some sprinters believe that steroids can trim one stride, equal to about two-tenths of a second, off the hundred-metre dash. — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 13 July 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