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

Rainfall amounts were generally expected to total less than a tenth of an inch. —Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025

About three-quarters of the workers coming to the country under the H-1B program, which typically has a three-year term, are from India, with Chinese workers accounting for one-tenth, according to a report from the Pew Research Center. —Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 12 Oct. 2025

While the San Francisco Peaks saw a couple of light dustings in September, only measurable snow — at least a tenth of an inch — counts at the Flagstaff weather stations. —Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 10 Oct. 2025

The new species is about three-tenths of an inch long and is dark tan and charcoal-brown in color, according to the study. —Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025

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