Definition of number

merriam-webster.com/dictionary/number

number
noun
num·​ber | \ ˈnəm-bər \
1a(1) : a sum of units : TOTAL the number of people in the hall
(2) : COMPLEMENT sense 1b(1) … the whole number of Senators … — U.S. Constitution
(3) : an indefinite usually large total a number of members were absent the number of
elderly is rising

(4) numbers plural : a numerous group : MANY numbers died on the way— Marjory S.
Douglas
(5) : a numerical preponderance (see PREPONDERANCE sense 2) There's safety in
numbers.
b(1) : the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or of a collection by
which it is treated in terms of units there is a limited number of such laboratories— P. D.
Close

(2) : an ascertainable total bugs beyond number

c(1) : a unit belonging to an abstract mathematical system and subject to specified laws
of succession, addition, and multiplication a number divisible by 2 especially : NATURAL
NUMBER
(2) : an element (such as π) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension
of or analogy with the natural number system

(3) numbers plural : ARITHMETIC Teach children their numbers.

2 : a distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one A subject and
its verb should agree in number. also : a form or group of forms so distinguished

3 numbers plural

a(1) : metrical structure : METER … most by numbers judge a poet's song.— Alexander
Pope
(2) : metrical lines : VERSES These numbers will I tear, and write in prose.— Shakespeare
b archaic : musical sounds : NOTES
4a : a word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number Spell out
the numbers one through ten.

b : a numeral or combination of numerals or other symbols used to identify or designate

dialed the wrong number

c(1) : a member of a sequence or collection designated by especially consecutive

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numbers (such as an issue of a periodical) just received issue number 8 of the magazine
(2) : a position in a numbered sequence You're number 7 on the waiting list.
d : a group of one kind not of their number

5 : one singled out from a group : INDIVIDUAL: such as

b(1) : a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production The actors broke into a song
and dance number.

c : STUNT, TRICK
d : an act of transforming or impairing tripped and did a number on her knee

e : an item of merchandise and especially clothing put that black velvet number with the
sequins on the blonde dummy— Bennett Cerf

6 : insight into a person's ability or character had my number

7 numbers plural in form but singular or plural in construction

a : a form of lottery in which an individual wagers on the appearance of a certain

combination of digits (as in regularly published numbers)
— called also numbers game

b : POLICY entry 2 sense 2a

8 numbers plural

a : figures representing amounts of money usually in dollars spent, earned, or involved

We won't be able to stay in business with numbers like these.

b(1) : STATISTICS sense 2 especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete) Her numbers
make her the most valuable member of the team.
(2) : RATING sense 3c
9 : a person represented by a number or considered without regard to individuality at
the university I was just a number

10 : LIFETIME sense 1a —used with up the old feeling that comes to men in combat …
that your number was up— Geoffrey Norman
by the numbers
1 : in unison to a specific count or cadence

2 : in a systematic, routine, or mechanical manner a program run not by the numbers but
with concern for the participants

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number

verb
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numbered; numbering\ ˈnəm-​b(ə-​)riŋ \
transitive verb

1 : COUNT, ENUMERATE
2 : to claim as part of a total : INCLUDE
3 : to restrict to a definite number your days are numbered

4 : to assign a number to number the pages

5 : to amount to in number : TOTAL the crew numbers 100

intransitive verb

1 : to reach a total number

2 : to call off numbers in sequence

Other Words from number

Verb

numberable \ ˈnəm-​b(ə-​)rə-​bəl \ adjective

numberer \ ˈnəm-​bər-​ər \ noun

Amount vs. Number: Usage Guide

Noun

Number is regularly used with count nouns a large number of mistakes any number of
times while amount is mainly used with mass nouns. annual amount of rainfall a
substantial amount of money The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently
criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or
collection glad to furnish any amount of black pebbles — New Yorker a substantial
amount of film offers — Lily Tomlin or when money is involved. a substantial amount of
loans — E. R. Black

Examples of number in a Sentence

the numbers and letters on a license plate a three-digit number like 429

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First Known Use of number

Noun

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

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Verb

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

History and Etymology for number

Noun and Verb

Middle English nombre, from Anglo-French, from Latin numerus

Statistics for number

Last Updated

1 Aug 2019

Look-up Popularity

Top 1% of lookups

Time Traveler for number

The first known use of number was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for number

number

noun

English Language Learners Definition of number

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a word or symbol (such as "five" or "16") that represents a specific amount or quantity

: a number or a set of numbers and other symbols that is used to identify a person or
thing

: a person who is identified by a number and not treated in a personal or friendly way

number

verb
English Language Learners Definition of number (Entry 2 of 2)

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: to give a number to (someone or something in a series) : to label or identify (people or
things in a series) with a number

somewhat formal : to include (someone or something) as part of a larger group

See the full definition for number in the English Language Learners Dictionary

number

noun
num·​ber | \ ˈnəm-bər \
1 : the total of persons, things, or units taken together : AMOUNT What is the number of
people in the room?
2 : a total that is not specified … the mermaids come up in extraordinary numbers to play
with their bubbles.— J. M. Barrie, Peter Pan

3 : a unit belonging to a mathematical system and subject to its rules Tell me a number
divisible by 2.

4 : a word, symbol, or letter used to represent a mathematical number : NUMERAL the

number 5
5 : a certain numeral for telling one person or thing from another or from others a house
number

6 : a quality of a word form that shows whether the word is singular or plural A verb
agrees in number with its subject.

7 : one of a series You're number seven on the waiting list.

8 : a song or dance usually that is part of a larger performance The band played a catchy
number.

number

verb
numbered; numbering

1 : COUNT entry 1 sense 1 The grains of sand cannot be numbered.

2 : INCLUDE I was numbered among the guests.
3 : to limit to a certain number Vacation days are numbered now.

4 : to give a number to Number the pages of your journal.

5 : to add up to or have a total of Our group numbered ten in all.

Comments on number

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