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

The winner earns 25 points, second place gets 18, and the points taper down to one for tenth. —Okla Jones, Essence, 16 Dec. 2025

In 1978, China was among the poorest countries, with a per capita GDP of about $157, less than one-60th that of the United States and less than one-tenth of Brazil’s. —Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Cabarrus County Schools saw an extremely slight decrease of just 15 students, accounting for a change of less than one tenth of one percent. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Dec. 2025

The first loss came against Anaheim on Tuesday when the Ducks forced overtime with one-tenth of a second left. —CBS News, 13 Dec. 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