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

Ultimately, for American civilization to last even a tenth as long as Persian civilization, Americans must elect leaders who truly put America first. —Melody Moezzi, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026

The audit board held the ​wingman pilot ⁠primarily responsible, but also criticized the air force for lax controls on in-flight filming at the time, ordering the pilot to repay ⁠about ​a tenth of the repair costs. —CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026

By early March, more than half of the state was in drought, and one-tenth of the state suffered extreme or exceptional drought, including Denver and its surrounding areas. —Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026

Each pentagonal ring turns like a turnstile, one-tenth of a revolution at a time. —Quanta Magazine, 20 Apr. 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