number Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
    figure.
    • he had a number of chores to do
    • the number of parameters is small
    • the figure was about a thousand
  2. noun a concept of quantity involving zero and units
    • every number has a unique position in the sequence
  3. noun a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
    turn; bit; routine; act.
    • he did his act three times every evening
    • she had a catchy little routine
    • it was one of the best numbers he ever did
  4. noun the number is used in calling a particular telephone
    phone number; telephone number.
    • he has an unlisted number
  5. noun a symbol used to represent a number
    numeral.
    • he learned to write the numerals before he went to school
  6. noun one of a series published periodically
    issue.
    • she found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waiting room
  7. noun a select company of people
    • I hope to become one of their number before I die
  8. noun a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification
    identification number.
    • she refused to give them her Social Security number
  9. noun a clothing measurement
    • a number 13 shoe
  10. noun 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)
    • in English the subject and the verb must agree in number
  11. noun an item of merchandise offered for sale
    • she preferred the black nylon number
    • this sweater is an all-wool number
  12. verb add up in number or quantity
    amount; total; come; add up.
    • The bills amounted to $2,000
    • The bill came to $2,000
  13. verb give numbers to
    • You should number the pages of the thesis
  14. verb enumerate
    list.
    • We must number the names of the great mathematicians
  15. verb put into a group
    count.
    • The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members
  16. verb determine the number or amount of
    count; numerate; enumerate.
    • Can you count the books on your shelf?
    • Count your change
  17. verb place a limit on the number of
    keep down.

WordNet

Num"ber noun
Etymology
OE. nombre, F. nombre, L. numerus; akin to Gr. that which is dealt out, fr. to deal out, distribute. See Numb, Nomad, and cf. Numerate, Numero, Numerous.
Definitions
  1. That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.
  2. A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.
    Ladies are always of great use to the party they espouse, and never fail to win over numbers. Addison.
  3. A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.
  4. Numerousness; multitude.
    Number itself importeth not much in armies where the people are of weak courage. Bacon.
  5. The state or quality of being numerable or countable.
    Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out of number. 2 Esdras iii. 7.
  6. Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.
  7. That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; -- chiefly used in the plural.
    I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came. Pope.
  8. (Gram.) The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.
  9. (Math.) The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.
Num"ber transitive verb
Etymology
OE. nombren, noumbren, F. nombrer, fr. L. numerare, numeratum. See Number, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Numbered ; present participle & verbal noun Numbering
Definitions
  1. To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.
    If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. Gen. xiii. 16.
  2. To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.
    He was numbered with the transgressors. Is. liii. 12.
  3. To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.
  4. To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.
    Thy tears can not number the dead. Campbell.
    Syn. -- To count; enumerate; calculate; tell.

Webster 1913