plural tenths ˈten(t)s How to pronounce tenth (audio) ˈten(t)ths How to pronounce tenth (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for tenth

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of tenth was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tenth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenth. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tenth

noun
plural tenths ˈten(t)s How to pronounce tenth (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on tenth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!