forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five ˌfȯr-tē-ˈfīv 

1

: a number that is five more than 40 see Table of Numbers

2

: a .45 caliber handgun

—usually written .45

3

: a phonograph record designed to be played at 45 revolutions per minute

—usually written 45

forty-five adjective

forty-five pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of forty-five in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Immaculata had just dropped off another ransom payment of about forty-five hundred dollars. — Alexis Okeowo, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026

One hundred and forty-five Americans earned a million dollars each, or more, in 1953. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 31 July 2026

On January 28, 1985, at 9pm, forty-five star musicians (from Diana Ross to Willie Nelson) began to arrive at the A&M Studios after attending the American Music Awards. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026

About the Author Rick Ford has more than forty-five years of experience in automotive management. — Forbes Books Press Release Official, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forty-five

• overdrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• khedive
• revive
• survive

Kids Definition

forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five

ˌfȯrt-ē-ˈfīv

: a .45 caliber pistol

—usually written .45