forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five ˌfȯr-tē-ˈfīv 

1

: a number that is five more than 40 see Table of Numbers

2

: a .45 caliber handgun

—usually written .45

3

: a phonograph record designed to be played at 45 revolutions per minute

—usually written 45

forty-five adjective

forty-five pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of forty-five in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Marcia, who some had predicted at the beginning of the 1960s would be the voice of the decade, author of two nonfiction books, Slummings and A Night at the Opera, dead at forty-five. — Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

At the end of forty-five minutes or so of conversation, Falchuk leaves the room, and the subject delivers a final message, facing directly to camera. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026

Some forty-five artists and collectives are expected to participate in the 2027 event. — News Desk, Artforum, 25 Aug. 2026

One hundred and forty-five Americans earned a million dollars each, or more, in 1953. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forty-five

• overdrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• revive
• survive

Kids Definition

forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five

ˌfȯrt-ē-ˈfīv

: a .45 caliber pistol

—usually written .45