eighth

noun

ˈātth 

ˈāth

plural eighths ˈāt(th)s 

ˈāths

1

: one that is number eight in a series

the eighth of the month

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of eight equal parts of something

one eighth of a pie

an eighth of a pound

3

: eighth note

4

: octave

He contrasted himself with Elton John, who complained that his chubby hands could only reach an eighth, which was a hindrance to his piano technique (though clearly he overcame the problem).

—Susan Wyndham

eighth adjective or adverb

the eighth person in line

the country's eighth largest city

Examples of eighth in a Sentence

one eighth of the pie

An eighth of a pound is two ounces.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ringing piano eighths gallop at a brisk mid-tempo, while percussive hits ring out in the distance. —Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 29 Jan. 2026

Springtails range in length from less than a millimeter to about 10 millimeters — roughly three-eighths of an inch. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

Los Gatos is just one-eighth of a cent away from reaching the state sales tax cap. —Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026

As a reward, his Spanish benefactors, Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, said Columbus would be entitled to ten percent of all the revenues from the new lands in perpetuity and the option to buy a one-eighth interest in any commercial venture and receive one-eighth of the profits. —John Mariani, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1557, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing eighth

• eighth note
• eighth rest

Kids Definition

eighth

noun

ˈātth 

plural eighths ˈāt(th)s 

: one that is number eight in a series see number

eighth adjective or adverb