Meaning of number in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈnəmbər/

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  1. Verb

    number

    Definitions

    1. add up in number or quantity

    Examples

    • « The bills amounted to $2,000 »
    • « The bill came to $2,000 »
  2. 2. give numbers to

    Examples

    • « You should number the pages of the thesis »
  3. 3. enumerate

    Examples

    • « We must number the names of the great mathematicians »
  4. 4. put into a group

    Examples

    • « The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members »
  5. 5. determine the number or amount of

    Examples

    • « Can you count the books on your shelf? »
    • « Count your change »
  6. 6. place a limit on the number of

  7. Noun

    number

    Etymology

    Middle English: from Old French nombre (noun), nombrer (verb), from Latin numerus

    Definitions

    1. the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

    Examples

    • « he had a number of chores to do »
    • « the number of parameters is small »
    • « the figure was about a thousand »
  8. 2. a concept of quantity derived from zero and units

    Examples

    • « every number has a unique position in the sequence »
  9. 3. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program

    Examples

    • « he did his act three times every evening »
    • « she had a catchy little routine »
    • « it was one of the best numbers he ever did »
  10. 4. a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification

    Examples

    • « she refused to give them her Social Security number »
  11. 5. the number is used in calling a particular telephone

    Examples

    • « he has an unlisted number »
  12. 6. a symbol used to represent a number

    Examples

    • « he learned to write the numerals before he went to school »
  13. 7. one of a series published periodically

    Examples

    • « she found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waitingroom »
  14. 8. a select company of people

    Examples

    • « I hope to become one of their number before I die »
  15. 9. the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural)

    Examples

    • « in English the subject and the verb must agree in number »
  16. 10. an item of merchandise offered for sale

    Examples

    • « she preferred the black nylon number »
    • « this sweater is an all-wool number »
  17. 11. a clothing measurement

    Examples

    • « a number 13 shoe »