1
: a number equal to one more than 11 see Table of Numbers
2
capitalized
a
: the twelve original disciples of Jesus
b
: the books of the Minor Prophets in the Jewish Scriptures
3
: the 12th in a set or series
4
: something having 12 units or members
5
Examples of twelve in a Sentence
“What time is it?” “It's twelve.”
I have lunch at twelve.
Recent Examples on the Web
The brilliant comedian plays the patriarch of twelve who gets a job at his alma mater coaching football.
—
Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Another twelve have been approved but construction has not started.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Sixteen individual lawsuits were brought to challenge the validity of Georgia’s 2020 election results, of which twelve were dismissed, and four of which were withdrawn by Trump’s own legal team.
—Brad Raffensperger, National Review, 17 Jan. 2024
Good news comes in twelves for Riverside Regional Medical Center!
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 14 June 2023
In addition, twelves are unusually responsive: their flywheel mass is minimal, and their small, lightweight reciprocating components are quick to accelerate.
—Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023
Success at home soon led to success across Norway, as Golten Andersen began sharing his tall tales as podcasts and audiobooks, and then as a popular series of children’s books with six volumes already published and another twelve to come.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Sep. 2022
Since the fourth quarter of that year, profits, based on the trailing twelves months of GAAP earnings, have jumped 41% to a blowout record of $134.39 per share.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 July 2019
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Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 7 Jan. 2025
Another twelve have been approved but construction has not started.
—Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
Sixteen individual lawsuits were brought to challenge the validity of Georgia’s 2020 election results, of which twelve were dismissed, and four of which were withdrawn by Trump’s own legal team.
—Brad Raffensperger, National Review, 17 Jan. 2024
Good news comes in twelves for Riverside Regional Medical Center!
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, Peoplemag, 14 June 2023
In addition, twelves are unusually responsive: their flywheel mass is minimal, and their small, lightweight reciprocating components are quick to accelerate.
—Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 8 Apr. 2023
Success at home soon led to success across Norway, as Golten Andersen began sharing his tall tales as podcasts and audiobooks, and then as a popular series of children’s books with six volumes already published and another twelve to come.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 21 Sep. 2022
Since the fourth quarter of that year, profits, based on the trailing twelves months of GAAP earnings, have jumped 41% to a blowout record of $134.39 per share.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 17 July 2019
Cite this Entry
“Twelve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/twelve. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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