tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s  ˈten(t)ths 

1

: one that is number ten in a series

the tenth of February

She was the tenth in line.

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of ten equal parts of something

He sold the car for a tenth of its value.

3

a

: a musical interval embracing an octave and a third

b

: the tone at this interval

tenth adjective or adverb

the tenth floor

the world's tenth largest company

Examples of tenth in a Sentence

He was tenth in line.

He traded stocks for one tenth their face value.

I only paid a tenth of what you did for that jacket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Ice accumulations of at least one-tenth of an inch are possible, with localized amounts exceeding one-quarter inch in parts of northern Michigan, according to the Weather Prediction Center winter weather forecast. —Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

MacFarlane told the Idaho Statesman that the valleys may see only two-tenths to four-tenths of an inch of snowfall. —Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 17 Feb. 2026

After beating the Frenchman to bronze in the men’s individual race by two-tenths of a second, Laegreid was on the receiving end of plenty of negative comments on social media after wondering if Jacquelin had stopped to greet fans. —Reuters, NBC news, 17 Feb. 2026

Ice accumulation up to a tenth of an inch could also form Tuesday evening and overnight, and wind gusts up to 45 mph are possible in the far northern counties. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 16 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tenth

• tenth-rate

Kids Definition

tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s 

ˈten(t)ths

1

: one that is number 10 in a series see number

2

: one of 10 equal parts of something

3

: the one numbered 10 in a countable series

tenth adjective or adverb