fourth

noun

\ ˈfȯrth

plural fourths\ ˈfȯr(th)s

Definition of fourth

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

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

b : a tone at this interval specifically : subdominant sense 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

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Examples of fourth in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

As Vox’s Li Zhou already reported, three-fourths of the government is already funded. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "Why the blame game over the government shutdown is pointless," 21 Dec. 2018 Polls show three-fourths of Americans support keeping Obamacare’s rules in place, and health care is a dominant issue for voters in the midterms. — Dylan Scott, Vox, "10 House races where health care could swing the 2018 election," 31 Oct. 2018 Since March last year, the U.N.'s humanitarian aid agency has called Yemen the world's worst humanitarian crisis — with three-fourths of its population of over 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance. — Jamey Keaten, Fox News, "Experts: UAE, Saudis may have committed war crimes in Yemen," 28 Aug. 2018 Since March last year, the U.N.’s humanitarian aid agency has called Yemen the world’s worst humanitarian crisis — with three-fourths of its population of over 20 million in need of humanitarian assistance. — Jamey Keaten, The Seattle Times, "Experts: UAE, Saudis may have committed war crimes in Yemen," 28 Aug. 2018 For example, in 1995, three-fourths of seniors who used both marijuana and cigarettes had tried cigarettes first. — Angela Chen, The Verge, "Teens are trying marijuana before alcohol and tobacco," 20 Nov. 2018 Three-fourths of the bond proceeds would go toward building low-income housing. — Melody Gutierrez, SFChronicle.com, "Gas taxes, cage-free chickens and a chopped-up California top fall ballot," 3 July 2018 Three-fourths of the district’s registered voters live in San Diego’s North County, with about one-third Republican, one-third Democrat and 27 percent with no party preference, according to a breakdown by the Voice of OC. — Michael Smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Geographic divide makes for unique politics on San Diego-Orange County border," 20 June 2018 Three-fourths of its 22 million people now need humanitarian assistance to survive. — Washington Post, "AP News Guide: What to know about Yemen’s yearslong war," 14 June 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.