eight

play

noun \ ˈāt \

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

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eight

adjective

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eight

pronoun, plural in construction

See eight defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of eight from the Web

Senior linebacker Justice Dingle, who has committed to Georgia Tech, had a team-high eight tackles (seven solo).

— jason frakes, The Courier-Journal, "Week 2 preview/pick | Bowling Green at PRP," 24 Aug. 2017
And his Big Eight brethren were unprepared to stop quarterbacks putting up the kind of gaudy numbers that are now commonplace.

— dave skretta, The Seattle Times, "No. 20 K-State bucks Big 12 trend with ground-based offense," 24 Aug. 2017
Six to eights shots were fired, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Capt.

— melissa chan, Time, "Police Who Were Shooting at a Pit Bull Accidentally Killed a 17-Year-Old Boy Instead," 23 June 2017
Loneker, who later earned all-Big Eight honors in his final season, proved his strength in winter workouts.

— jesse newell, kansascity.com, "Former KU football player, actor Keith Loneker Sr. dies," 22 June 2017
Made the crew team as a walk-on at UCLA and rowed novice eights this season. Majoring in biology at UCLA.

— john maffei, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Valley Center’s family of valedictorians," 13 June 2017
Saturday on Lake Natoma, the Huskies’ first, second and third varsity eights, and the varsity four, all won their semifinal races.

— seattle times staff, The Seattle Times, "Washington men sweep into grand finals at national meet," 3 June 2017
Here's his Big Eight: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, Case Keenum, Ryan Mallet, T.J. Yates, Tom Savage and Osweiler.

— terry pluto, cleveland.com, "Cleveland Browns have Terry Talkin' Brock Osweiler, impressions from OTAs -- Terry Pluto (photos)," 27 May 2017
Other products Plus Eight has shown interest in are aimed at the burgeoning worlds of music apps and streaming services.

— elias leight, Billboard, "Plus Eight Equity Partners Talk 'Pushing the Bounds' of Electronic Music Through Investment," 16 May 2017

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

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Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

EIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

eight

play

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

play

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

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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

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EIGHT Defined for English Language Learners

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eight

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