sixteenth

1 of 2

adjective

six·​teenth (ˈ)sik¦stēn(t)th How to pronounce sixteenth (audio)
1
: being number 16 in a countable series
the sixteenth day
2
: being one of 16 equal parts into which something is divisible
a sixteenth share of the money

sixteenth

2 of 2

noun

"
plural sixteenths
-n(t)s
-n(t)ths
1
: number 16 in a countable series
the sixteenth of the month
2
: the quotient of a unit divided by 16 : one of 16 equal parts of something
one sixteenth of the total
3
a
: a musical interval (see interval sense 2c) embracing two octaves and a second : a musical interval embracing sixteen diatonic degrees

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sixtenthe, alteration (influenced by sixtene sixteen) of sixtethe, from Old English sixtēotha (akin to Middle High German sehzehende, Old Norse sextāndi) from sixtȳne sixteen + -otha, -tha -th

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Cite this Entry

“Sixteenth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixteenth. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

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