numerator

noun

nu·​mer·​a·​tor ˈnü-mə-ˌrā-tər 

ˈnyü-

1

: the part of a fraction that is above the line and signifies the number to be divided by the denominator

2

: one that numbers

Examples of numerator in a Sentence

The numerator in the fraction 3/5 is 3.

Recent Examples on the Web

The numerator is the sum of the portion of the IP factor, personnel factor, and tangible property factor that is from sources within the United States as calculated in subdivisions (d)(2)(ii), (d)(3)(ii), and (d)(4)(ii). —Carrie Brandon Elliot, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025

In this case, the numerator is the number of EVs that must be sold each year. —John Bozzella, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025

The amplitudes take the form of fractions, with a numerator above a denominator. —Charlie Wood, WIRED, 3 Nov. 2024

For example, take the L-function whose numerators follow the pattern 1, −1, 0, 1, −1, 0, repeating. —Erica Klarreich, Quanta Magazine, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French numerateur, borrowed from Late Latin numerātor "counter, enumerator," from Latin numerāre "to count, number entry 2" + -tor, agent suffix

Note: The Middle French word numerateur (modern numérateur) as a name for the part of a fraction above the line was probably introduced into European mathematical terminology by the mathematician Estienne de La Roche (ca. 1470-ca. 1530), who used it in Larismethique nouellement composee (Lyon, 1520). It is now known that La Roche adopted numerateur as well as denominateur denominator from an earlier mathematician of Lyon, Nicolas Chuquet (ca. 1445-55-1488 or later). Chuquet introduced the words in his Triparty en la science des nombres ("The Science of Numbers in Three Parts"), the manuscript of which dates to 1485, though it was not published until 1880.

First Known Use

1539, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for numerator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

numerator

noun

nu·​mer·​a·​tor ˈn(y)ü-mə-ˌrāt-ər 

1

: the part of a fraction that is above the line and signifies the number to be divided by the denominator

3 is the numerator of the fraction ⅗

2

: one that counts something