digit

noun

dig·​it ˈdi-jət 

1

a

: any of the Arabic numerals 1 to 9 and usually the symbol 0

b

: one of the elements that combine to form numbers in a system other than the decimal system

c

digits plural, slang : the digits of a telephone number

At the end of the meal, the pair discussed wanting to see the Dupont Underground art exhibit, and that's when Scott smoothly asked for her digits and said they should go.

—Vijai Nathan

2

: a unit of length based on the breadth of a finger and equal in English measure to 3/4 inch

3

: any of the divisions in which the limbs of most vertebrates terminate, which are typically five in number but may be reduced (as in the horse), and which typically have a series of phalanges bearing a nail, claw, or hoof at the tip compare finger sense 1, toe sense 1a

Synonyms of digit

• number
• integer

Examples of digit in a Sentence

a three-digit number like 507

She suffered several broken digits.

Recent Examples on the Web

For the San Joaquin Valley, high temperatures will still flirt with or reach triple digits Friday, but will also tumble into the 80s by Sunday. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Investors have been rewarded with the same story all year — the only question left is how long triple-digit growth off an increasingly large base can continue. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

Two days prior, the region broke temperature records for the day, with triple-digit temps recorded in places such as downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach and Woodland Hills, according to the National Weather Service Los Angeles. — Paris Barraza, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Digital payment apps require less paperwork than banks but often charge much higher interest because of the greater risk, with annual rates reaching triple digits. — Débora Rey, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "whole number less than ten, Arabic figure used to represent it," borrowed from Latin digitus "finger, toe, finger's breadth as a measure" (Medieval Latin also "whole number less than ten"), of uncertain origin

Note: The Latin word digitus has long been associated with the base *deik-evident in dīcere "to talk, speak" and related words descended from Indo-European *dei̯ḱ- "show, point out" (see diction), though explanations for the voicing of the velar stop, as remote assimilation or dissimilation, are difficult to sustain. Ernout and Meillet (Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue latine) suggest a connection with a root *dei̯g-, taken to be a variant of *dei̯ḱ- and reflected in Gothic taikns "sign," etc. (see token entry 1, teach), but more recent thinking (as G. Kroonen, Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic) trace the Germanic etymon directly to *dei̯ḱ-. Digitus hence remains without a certain etymology. Compare dactyl, toe entry 1.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing digit

• double-digit
• significant digit
• single-digit

Rhymes for digit

• fidget
• midget
• widget

Kids Definition

digit

noun

dig·​it ˈdij-ət 

1

a

: any of the Arabic numerals 1 to 9 and usually the symbol 0

b

: one of the elements that are used to form numbers in a system other than the decimal system

2

: a finger or toe

Etymology

Middle English digit "numeral," from Latin digitus "finger, toe"

Medical Definition

digit

noun

dig·​it ˈdij-ət 

: any of the divisions (as a finger or toe) in which the limbs of amphibians and all higher vertebrates including humans terminate, which are typically five in number but may be reduced (as in the horse), and which typically have a series of phalanges bearing a nail, claw, or hoof at the tip