¹decimal

adjective dec·i·mal \ˈde-sə-məl, ˈdes-məl\

mathematics : based on the number 10

Full Definition of DECIMAL

: numbered or proceeding by tens:

a : based on the number 10; especially : expressed in or utilizing a decimal system especially with a decimal point

b : subdivided into 10th or 100th units <decimal coinage>

— dec·i·mal·ly \-mə-lē\ adverb

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Origin of DECIMAL

French décimal, from Medieval Latin decimalis of a tithe, from Latin decima tithe — more at dime

First Known Use: 1608

Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb

²decimal

noun

mathematics : a number that is written with a dot between the part of the number that is equal to 1 or more and the part of the number that is less than 1

Full Definition of DECIMAL

: any real number expressed in base 10; especially : decimal fraction

See decimal defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of DECIMAL

1651

Other Number-Related Terms

jubilee, myriad, quarantine, score, twain

DECIMAL Defined for Kids

¹decimal

adjective dec·i·mal \ˈde-sə-məl, ˈdes-məl\

Definition of DECIMAL for Kids

: based on the number 10 : numbered or counting by tens <We use a decimal system of writing numbers.>

: expressed in or including a decimal <The decimal form of 1⁄4 is .25.>

²decimal

noun

Definition of DECIMAL for Kids

: a proper fraction in which the denominator is 10 or 10 multiplied one or more times by itself and is indicated by a point placed at the left of the numerator <the decimal .2=2⁄10, the decimal .25=25⁄100, the decimal .025=25⁄1000>