fourth

noun \ ˈfȯrth \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of fourth

plural fourths play \ˈfȯr(th)s\

1 : one that is number four in a series — see Table of Numbers

2 a : a musical interval (see interval 2b) embracing four tones of the diatonic scale

b : a tone at this interval; specifically : subdominant 1

c : the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart

3 : the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

shifted into fourth

4 capitalized : independence day —used with the

watched fireworks on the Fourth

—

fourth

adjective or adverb

—

fourthly

adverb

See fourth defined for English-language learners

See fourth defined for kids

Examples of fourth in a Sentence

cut the cake into fourths
She drank a fourth of the bottle.

Recent Examples of fourth from the Web

The Pew Research Center found three-fourths of Americans are worried about a world in which computers and robots do more of the work.

— jason tanz, WIRED, "Ex-Commerce Secretary Pritzker on Saving the Future of Jobs," 10 Apr. 2018
Using Cholula Hot Sauce, Jonas adds a few drops with three swift tilts of the bottle and one fourth, longer flick of the wrist for a final addition.

— ana calderone, PEOPLE.com, "Watch Nick Jonas Make Tuna Salad in a Tank Top (Trust Us, It's Amazing)," 9 Apr. 2018
Her time on the faster of the two courses, 43.32 seconds, would’ve beaten seven of the men — nearly one fourth of the field — over the same track.

— Washington Post, "Chapter 2: Ledecka wins gold again, this time on a snowboard," 24 Feb. 2018
If the proposal passes by a three-fourths vote in each General Assembly chamber this session, the constitutional amendment could go on this November’s election ballot.

— gregory b. hladky, courant.com, "State Park Supporters Seek Protection For New Passport To Parks Program," 30 Mar. 2018
Here's why: Amending the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote of each congressional house and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.

— george skelton, latimes.com, "Pit a youth movement for firearms regulation against an aging gun lobby — the kids will ultimately win," 29 Mar. 2018
But India still gets about three-fourths of its power from coal, although that is expected to fall to below 50 percent by 2040, according to the International Energy Agency.

— huizhong wu, The Christian Science Monitor, "India offers assistance in boosting use of solar power around the world," 12 Mar. 2018
In Peculiar, Steve Hirtzel got about three-fourths of his kitchen remodeling project done before Building Pro stopped showing up.

— mark davis, kansascity, "These homeowners did their homework but still landed in a remodeling nightmare | The Kansas City Star," 1 Mar. 2018
The council can overturn a commission decision with a three-fourths majority vote.

— tom daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Historic' designation could halt renovations at White House tavern building in Bay View," 28 Feb. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of fourth

see four

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

FOURTH Defined for English Language Learners

fourth

noun

Definition of fourth for English Language Learners

: number four in a series
: one of four equal parts of something
: the fourth forward gear or speed of a car, truck, etc.

FOURTH Defined for Kids

fourth

adjective \ ˈfȯrth \

Definition of fourth for Students

: coming right after third

fourth

noun

Definition of fourth for Students

1 : number four in a series

2 : one of four equal parts

Learn More about fourth

See words that rhyme with fourth Spanish Central: Translation of fourth Nglish: Translation of fourth for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fourth for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fourth

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fourth

Definition of fourth

fourth

fourthly

Examples of fourth in a Sentence

Recent Examples of fourth from the Web

Origin and Etymology of fourth

Other Number-Related Terms

Phrases Related to FOURTH

Related Phrases

FOURTH Defined for English Language Learners

fourth

Definition of fourth for English Language Learners

FOURTH Defined for Kids

fourth

Definition of fourth for Students

fourth

Definition of fourth for Students

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