Definition of number
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a(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
(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 laboratories— P. 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
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
4a
: 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
d
: a group of one kind
not of their number
5
: one singled out from a group : individual: such as
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 dummy— Bennett 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.
(2)
: rating sense 3c
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 up— Geoffrey Norman
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

number
verbDefinition of number (Entry 2 of 2)
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Anagram puzzles meet word search.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share number
Time Traveler for number
The first known use of number was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century