number

1 of 2

noun

num·​ber ˈnəm-bər How to pronounce number (audio)
1
a(1)
: a sum of units : total
the number of people in the hall
(2)
: complement sense 1b(1)
… the whole number of Senators …U.S. Constitution
(3)
: an indefinite usually large total
a number of members were absent
the number of elderly is rising
(4)
numbers ˈnəm-bərz How to pronounce number (audio) plural : a numerous group : many
numbers died on the wayMarjory S. Douglas
(5)
: a numerical preponderance (see preponderance sense 2)
There's safety in numbers.
b(1)
: the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or of a collection by which it is treated in terms of units
there is a limited number of such laboratoriesP. D. Close
(2)
: an ascertainable total
bugs beyond number
c(1)
: a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject to specified laws of succession, addition, and multiplication
a number divisible by 2
especially : natural number
(2)
: an element (such as π) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension of or analogy with the natural number system
(3)
numbers plural : arithmetic
Teach children their numbers.
2
: a distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one
A subject and its verb should agree in number.
also : a form or group of forms so distinguished
3
numbers plural
a(1)
: metrical structure : meter
… most by numbers judge a poet's song.Alexander Pope
(2)
: metrical lines : verses
These numbers will I tear, and write in prose.Shakespeare
b
archaic : musical sounds : notes
4
a
: a word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number
Spell out the numbers one through ten.
b
: a numeral or combination of numerals or other symbols used to identify or designate
dialed the wrong number
c(1)
: a member of a sequence or collection designated by especially consecutive numbers (such as an issue of a periodical)
just received issue number 8 of the magazine
(2)
: a position in a numbered sequence
You're number 7 on the waiting list.
d
: a group of one kind
not of their number
5
: one singled out from a group : individual: such as
a
: girl, woman
met an attractive number at the dance
b(1)
: a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production
The actors broke into a song and dance number.
(2)
: routine, act
The comedian's number had the audience laughing out loud.
c
d
: an act of transforming or impairing
tripped and did a number on her knee
e
: an item of merchandise and especially clothing
put that black velvet number with the sequins on the blonde dummyBennett Cerf
6
: insight into a person's ability or character
had my number
7
numbers plural in form but singular or plural in construction
a
: a form of lottery in which an individual wagers on the appearance of a certain combination of digits (as in regularly published numbers)

called also numbers game

8
numbers plural
a
: figures representing amounts of money usually in dollars spent, earned, or involved
We won't be able to stay in business with numbers like these.
b(1)
: statistics sense 2
especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete)
Her numbers make her the most valuable member of the team.
9
: a person represented by a number or considered without regard to individuality
at the university I was just a number
10
: lifetime sense 1a
used with up
the old feeling that comes to men in combat … that your number was upGeoffrey Norman
number table
Amount vs. Number: Usage Guide

Number is regularly used with count nouns

a large number of mistakes
any number of times

while amount is mainly used with mass nouns.

annual amount of rainfall
a substantial amount of money

The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or collection

glad to furnish any amount of black pebbles New Yorker
a substantial amount of film offers Lily Tomlin

or when money is involved.

a substantial amount of loans E. R. Black

number

2 of 2

verb

numbered; numbering ˈnəm-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce number (audio)

transitive verb

1
2
: to claim as part of a total : include
3
: to restrict to a definite number
your days are numbered
4
: to assign a number to
number the pages
5
: to amount to in number : total
the crew numbers 100

intransitive verb

1
: to reach a total number
2
: to call off numbers in sequence
numberable adjective
numberer noun
Phrases
by the numbers
1
: in unison to a specific count or cadence
2
: in a systematic, routine, or mechanical manner
a program run not by the numbers but with concern for the participants

Examples of number in a Sentence

Noun the numbers and letters on a license plate a three-digit number like 429 Think of a number between one and one hundred. 2, 4, 6, and 8 are even numbers; 1, 3, 5, and 7 are odd numbers. Never give out your credit card number to anyone over the phone. What's the account number on your electricity bill? The page numbers are on the top corner of each page. Today's winning lottery numbers are 17, 8, and 46. I'm waiting for the number 3 bus. Verb She numbers and arranges the photographs according to when they were taken. Each print is signed and numbered by the artist. The team's coach bought all the players numbered jerseys. In that year, European settlers in the area numbered nearly 15,000. The animal, which once numbered in the millions, is now extinct. He numbers her with the other great poets of the time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The number of millionaires living in the desert city, a suburb of Phoenix, grew by a hefty 102 percent in the span of a decade. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 The set comes with 10 blocks in various colors, each with different images on all six sides, including numbers, animals, and shapes. Julie Evans, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for number 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'number.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English nombre, numbre, noumer, borrowed from Anglo-French nombre, numbre (also continental Old French nombre), going back to Latin numerus "numerical sum or symbol, quantity, aggregate" — more at nimble

Verb

Middle English nombren, noumbren, nowmeryn, in part derivative of nombre number entry 1, in part borrowed from Anglo-French nombrer, numbrer, going back to Latin numerāre "to add up, count, reckon, compute," derivative of numerus "numerical sum or symbol, quantity, aggregate" — more at number entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of number was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near number

Cite this Entry

“Number.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/number. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

number

1 of 2 noun
num·​ber ˈnəm-bər How to pronounce number (audio)
1
a
: the total of persons, things, or units taken together : amount
the number of people in the room
b
: the possibility of being counted
mosquitoes in swarms beyond number
c
: a total that is not specified : many
a number of accidents occur on wet roads
2
a
: a unit belonging to a mathematical system and subject to its laws
a number divisible by 2
b
plural : arithmetic
3
: a quality of a word form that shows whether the word is singular or plural
a verb agrees in number with its subject
4
a
: a word, symbol, or letter used to represent a mathematical number
b
: a certain numeral for telling one person or thing from another or from others
a phone number
5
: one in a series
the June number of a magazine
6
: a musical, theatrical, or literary selection
number table

number

2 of 2 verb
numbered; numbering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce number (audio)
1
2
: to claim as part of a total : include
was numbered among the guests
3
: to restrict to a definite number
vacation days are numbered now
4
: to assign a number to
number the pages of a scrapbook
5
: to add up to or have a total of
our group numbered ten in all
numberer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on number

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