decimal point

noun

: a period, centered dot, or in some countries a comma at the left of a proper decimal fraction (such as .678) or between the parts of a mixed number (such as 3.678) expressed by a whole number and a decimal fraction

Examples of decimal point in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And Granny’s is so excited to again be holding our annual Pi Day Contest: come in and recite the value of Pi for ten digits past the decimal point FROM MEMORY- no devices allowed and win a 6 inch pie from our Pi Day menu. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 14 Mar. 2024

The average of these ratings determines the final score based on four decimal points, with two decimal points being published. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Oct. 2023

Like my own children, the general public sometimes fails to appreciate a decimal point distribution. —Wes Moss, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024

For years, historians thought decimal points emerged when German mathematician Christopher Clavius began using them while writing about astronomy in 1593. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

decimal point

noun

: the dot at the left of a decimal (as .678) or between the decimal and whole parts of a mixed number (as 3.678)