number 1 of 2

Definition of numbernext
1
as in digit
a character used to represent a mathematical value asked him to write out the equation in numbers, not letters

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2
as in composition
a literary, musical, or artistic production a doomsday novel that turns out to be one of those it-was-all-a-dream numbers

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3
as in act
a performance regularly presented by an individual or group a modern dance number

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4
5
as in feat
an act of notable skill, strength, or cleverness a stunning gymnastics number that really impressed the judges

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6
as in calculation
numbers plural the act or process of performing mathematical operations to find a value if you believe the president's numbers, we can afford these new programs and still have tax cuts

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number

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of number
Noun
Though the number of deadly attacks by separatists has decreased in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution. ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 Knicks head coach Mike Brown elaborated on Thursday on his Wednesday comments regarding the number of changes his coaching staff made in-season his first year on the job. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved. Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2026 Visitation often numbered in the tens of thousands, with itineraries fulfilled via expensive rail tickets, stagecoach tours, and horseback rides. Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for number
Recent Examples of Synonyms for number
Noun
  • Forecasters have warned residents of the islands of Tinian and Saipan to brace for triple-digit winds for at least several hours.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Several cities in California and Arizona reached well into the triple digits.
    Denise Chow, NBC news, 14 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Some of these are arranged into more staid compositions of geometric bands of color, while others bend and bulge into shapes evoking the baroque ruination of junk-yard findings.
    Vince Aletti, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The belief remains, Kennard said, but the reality of the Lakers’ preferred roster composition collapsed when Doncic grabbed his left hamstring and hobbled off the court during the third quarter of their April 2 loss in Oklahoma City.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Jimmie Fowlie and Ceara O’Sullivan’s script relies on formulaic coming-of-age beats before drifting unexpectedly into absurdism in the third act.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 17 Apr. 2026
  • The filing alleges Hayes fired without warning and that Avery did not pose an immediate threat, was not advancing toward anyone, and was not engaging in any violent act at the time.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • As zonky cross-generational ciphers go, the group’s debut, Strictly 4 the Scythe, is no Hypnotize Camp Posse, the amalgam of Three 6 Mafia and a grip of artists signed to their Hypnotize Minds label in the early 2000s.
    Dylan Green, Pitchfork, 12 Mar. 2026
  • The still-unidentified Zodiac Killer, who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, frequently sent threats, demands and ciphers to multiple local papers — namely the San Francisco Chronicle.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • That’s a feat Ilginis hadn’t duplicated until Thursday when the sophomore midfielder scored four goals in an 8-1 win over Richards.
    Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
  • Columbus has an average home price around $250,000, Zillow data shows, and Cleveland offers ownership costs that are actually lower than rent—a rare feat in today’s market.
    Sydney Lake, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Among those measures was a proposal requiring any ballot measure establishing a fee to undergo a thorough analysis and calculation as to the fee amount before it is presented to voters.
    Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Understanding the nuances of these calculations is complex.
    William Jones, Sacbee.com, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In addition, Commissioner Cathy Yuhas said the company’s consultant counted traffic on a Tuesday rather than during a busier time.
    Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
  • The instructors at the Atomic Ballroom, based in Costa Mesa, led the dance record effort, giving a step-by-step instruction to those who showed up, the Guinness World Record adjudicator counting the crowd.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tech giant Qualcomm had the most open job postings in February with 672, said state data that aggregates job postings during the month.
    Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Polling from the New York Times, which aggregates multiple political polls from multiple sources, finds Jackson leading by anywhere from 8 to 15 points in some polls, while Jones leads by anywhere from 7 to 10 points in others.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Number.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/number. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

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