numeral

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or expressing numbers

binary numeral systems

2

: consisting of numbers or numerals

numeral passwords

numerally adverb

… a numerally small but critically placed corps of military vassals.

—Cornelius J. Kiley

Examples of numeral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team’s observation of the structure earned the phase of ice an official Roman numeral name, ice XXI. —Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026

The show was so big that ABC soon began emulating the Roman numeral naming convention of the Super Bowl, and by the time the concept had run its course, the Battle franchise closed out in 1988 just shy of the XX mark. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 Feb. 2026

This new court comes one year after the 2025 conference tournaments featured a special — albeit static — court design with Roman numeral logos, which drew its share of attention and criticism. —Justin Williams, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Imagine having to add a roman numeral every year after that mouthful. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Late Latin numerālis, from Latin numerus number entry 1 + -ālis -al entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing numeral

• Arabic numeral
• Roman numeral

Rhymes for numeral

• humeral
• humoral
• glenohumeral

Kids Definition

numeral

noun

nu·​mer·​al

ˈn(y)üm-(ə-)rəl

1

: a symbol or group of symbols representing a number

2

plural : numbers that designate by year a school or college class and that are awarded for distinction (as in sports)