t

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈtē 

variants often T

plural t's or ts ˈtēz  ; often T's or Ts

often attributive

1

a

: the 20th letter of the English alphabet

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

c

: a speech counterpart of orthographic t

2

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter t

3

: one designated t especially as the 20th in order or class

4

: something shaped like the letter T

5

: t formation

6

: technical foul

see also:

to a T

t

2 of 4

abbreviation (1)

1

metric ton

2

tablespoon

3

teaspoon

4

technical

5

temperature

6

[Latin tempore] in the time of

7

tense

8

tertiary

9

time

10

ton

11

township

12

transitive

13

troy

14

true

T

3 of 4

noun (2)

ˈtē 

T

4 of 4

abbreviation (2)

1

tera-

2

tesla

3

testosterone

4

thymine

5

toddler

6

tritium

7

T-shirt

Phrases

the T

slang

: private or inside information especially of a personal nature : the tea

—usually used in the phrase spill the T

… the eight remaining contestants reflect on their track records in Untucked and spill the T on who they consider their biggest competition for the crown.

—Sam Damshenas

Did you know?

Words Starting With T

Browse 20,197 words and phrases that start with the letter T, from ta to Tzutuhil.

Examples of t in a Sentence

Noun (1)

a word that begins with a t

a word that begins with t

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Several kinds of clothing, including t-shirts, trousers, sweaters, overcoats, windbreakers, men’s suits and blazers, and accessories, including belts, jewelry, hats, wigs, false beards and eyebrows are included. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Roberts was last seen wearing a brown t-shirt, dark shorts, gray shoes and possibly a beanie. — Brandon Downs, CBS News, 23 Aug. 2026

The apparel can be from any school, middle school through college, and can include t-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys and hats, among other apparel. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026

Fans are showing up to games wearing t-shirts supporting trans women, and shirts from the XX-XY brand built around excluding trans girls from girls’ sports. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

Note: See note at tea.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

2009, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing t

• student's t distribution
• Student's t-test
• t distribution
• t-PA
• t-test

Kids Definition

t

noun

tē

plural t's or ts

ˈtēz

often capitalized

: the 20th letter of the English alphabet

Medical Definition

T

1 of 2 abbreviation

1

tesla

2

thoracic

—used with a number from 1 to 12 to indicate a vertebra or segment of the spinal cord

multiple injuries with a fracture of T-12

3

thymine

T

2 of 2 symbol

1

absolute temperature

2

tritium