¹number

noun num·ber \ˈnəm-bər\

: 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

Full Definition of NUMBER

a (1) : a sum of units : total (2) : complement 1b (3) : an indefinite usually large total <a number of members were absent> <the number of elderly is rising> (4) plural : a numerous group : many (5) : a numerical preponderance

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 (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; especially : natural number (2) : an element (as π) of any of many mathematical systems obtained by extension of or analogy with the natural number system (3) plural : arithmetic

: a distinction of word form to denote reference to one or more than one; also : a form or group of forms so distinguished

plural

a (1) : metrical structure : meter (2) : metrical lines : verses

b archaic : musical sounds : notes

a : a word, symbol, letter, or combination of symbols representing a number

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 numbers (as an issue of a periodical) (2) : a position in a numbered sequence

d : a group of one kind <not of their number>

: one singled out from a group : individual: as

a : girl, woman <met an attractive number at the dance>

b (1) : a musical, theatrical, or literary selection or production (2) : routine, act

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

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

plural but sing or plural in constr

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 : ²policy 2a

plural

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

b (1) : statistics 2; especially : individual statistics (as of an athlete) (2) : rating 3c

: a person represented by a number or considered without regard to individuality <at the university I was just a number>

: lifetime 1a —used with up <the old feeling that comes to men in combat … that your number was up — Geoffrey Norman>

number table

See number defined for English-language learners

See number defined for kids

Usage Discussion of NUMBER

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>.