numerator Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the dividend of a fraction

WordNet

Nu"mer*a"tor noun
Etymology
L. numerator: cf. F. numérateur.
Definitions
  1. One who numbers.
  2. (Math.) The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken. ✍ In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction 5/9 (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See Fraction.

Webster 1913