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

That includes a tenth of the cohort who were making catch-up contributions, Fidelity said. —Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026

Baez was right again, with White’s pitch missing outside by three-tenths of an inch. —Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2026

The total rain today will be near a half inch, with as much as four-tenths of an inch falling during this four-hour block. —Ron Smiley, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

Total snow and sleet accumulation could reach one inch, with up to a tenth of an inch of ice possible. —Cheryl Vari, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Mar. 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