ordinal

noun

or·​di·​nal ˈȯr-də-nəl 

ˈȯrd-nəl

1

Ordinal [Middle English, from Medieval Latin ordinale, from Late Latin, neuter of ordinalis] : a book of rites for the ordination of deacons, priests, and bishops

2

[Late Latin ordinalis, from ordinalis, adjective] : ordinal number

Examples of ordinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the most ardent advocates of Taproot and SegWit would not have predicted ordinals and inscriptions. —Korok Ray, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025

If there were several sisters, ordinals could be used, Claudia Tertia, Claudia Quarta, etc. —National Geographic, 4 Nov. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ordinal

• ordinal number

Kids Definition

ordinal

noun

or·​di·​nal

ˈȯrd-nəl, 

-ᵊn-əl

: ordinal number