eight

noun \ ˈāt \

|Updated on: 23 May 2018

Definition of eight

1 : a number that is one more than seven — see Table of Numbers

2 : the eighth in a set or series

the eight of spades

3 : something having eight units or members: such as

a : an 8-oared racing boat or its crew

b : an 8-cylinder engine or automobile

—

eight

adjective

—

eight

pronoun, plural in construction

See eight defined for English-language learners

See eight defined for kids

Recent Examples of eight from the Web

The Owls also won two other eights races – the freshman/novice eight and the junior varsity eight.

— joe juliano, Philly.com, "Temple, with a little help, wins men's varsity eight race at Dad Vail Regatta," 12 May 2018
Brandon Woodruff and Josh Hader combined to keep the Reds off the board the rest of the way, with Hader striking out a career-high eight in just 2 2/3 innings to close the game out and record his fourth save.

— todd rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Brewers 6, Reds 5: Offense wakes up from its Wrigley slumber," 30 Apr. 2018
Faria gave up a career-high eight runs while getting just five outs.

— courant.com, "Bogaerts Leads Way With 6 RBIs; Red Sox Beat Rays For 7th Straight," 7 Apr. 2018
Six the top 16 eights at last year’s Intercollegiate Rowing Association championships will be here.

— bill center, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Match races give Crew Classic new twist," 22 Mar. 2018
The Huskies also had their share of struggles but managed to win seven of their last eight to finish 15-17-2.

— andrew mahoney, BostonGlobe.com, "BU will need to win Hockey East to make NCAAs," 8 Mar. 2018
Kozinski did all his damage from long range, knocking down a career-high eight in 15 attempts for CMU (14-8, 3-6 MAC).

— associated press, Detroit Free Press, "Western Michigan pounds EMU in 2nd half; Kozinski sets CMU record," 31 Jan. 2018
The single dining room, clad in raw two-by-eights, could be a suburban basement finished over the weekend by a couple with a table saw.

— pete wells, New York Times, "A Firecracker of a Beef Rib and Other Surprises at Ferris," 9 Jan. 2018
Freshman Jordyn Peters stepped in for Dinson at nickel and finished with a team-high eight tackles.

— tom green | tgreen@al.com, AL.com, "Grading Auburn's 34-27 Peach Bowl loss to UCF," 2 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eight.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of eight

Middle English eighte, from eighte, adjective, from Old English eahta; akin to Old High German ahto eight, Latin octo, Greek oktō

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

EIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

eight

noun

Definition of eight for English Language Learners

: the number 8
: the eighth in a set or series
: eight o'clock

EIGHT Defined for Kids

eight

noun \ ˈāt \

Definition of eight for Students

1 : one more than seven : two times four : 8

2 : the eighth in a set or series

eight

adjective

Definition of eight for Students

: being one more than seven

Learn More about eight

See words that rhyme with eight Spanish Central: Translation of eight Nglish: Translation of eight for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of eight for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up eight? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

eight

Definition of eight

eight

eight

Recent Examples of eight from the Web

Origin and Etymology of eight

Other Number-Related Terms

EIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

eight

Definition of eight for English Language Learners

EIGHT Defined for Kids

eight

Definition of eight for Students

eight

Definition of eight for Students

Learn More about eight

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Is it 'On Route' or 'En Route'?

Words for Summer: A Quiz

If the Shoe Fits

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

Ghost Word