number

Syllabification: (num·ber)

Pronunciation: /ˈnəmbər/

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Definition of number

noun

1an arithmetical value, expressed by a word, symbol, or figure, representing a particular quantity and used in counting and making calculations and for showing order in a series or for identification:she dialed the number carefully an even number
(numbers) dated arithmetic:the boy was adept at numbers

2a quantity or amount:the company is seeking to increase the number of women on its staff the exhibition attracted vast numbers of visitors
(a number of) several:we have discussed the matter on a number of occasions
a group or company of people:there were some distinguished names among our number
(numbers) a large quantity or amount, often in contrast to a smaller one; numerical preponderance:the weight of numbers turned the battle against them

3a single issue of a magazine:the October number of “Travel.”
a song, dance, piece of music, etc., especially one of several in a performance:they go from one melodious number to another
[usually with adjective] informal a thing, typically an item of clothing, of a particular type, regarded with approval or admiration:Yvonne was wearing a little black number

4 Grammar a distinction of word form denoting reference to one person or thing or to more than one. See also singular (sense 2 of the adjective), plural, count noun, and mass noun.

verb

[with object]

1amount to (a specified figure or quantity); comprise:the demonstrators numbered more than 5,000
include or classify as a member of a group:the orchestra numbers Brahms among its past conductors

2mark with a number or assign a number to, typically to indicate position in a series:each document was numbered consecutively
count:strategies like ours can be numbered on the fingers of one hand

Phrases

any number of: any particular whole quantity of:the game can involve any number of players; a large and unlimited quantity or amount of:the results can be read any number of ways
by numbers: following simple instructions identified or as if identified by numbers:painting by numbers
by the numbers: following standard operating procedure.; all together with a shouted-out count.
someone's/something's days are numbered: someone or something will not survive or remain in a position of power or advantage for much longer:my days as director were numbered
do a number on: North American informal treat someone badly, typically by deceiving, humiliating, or criticizing them in a calculated and thorough way.
have someone's number: informal understand a person’s real motives or character and thereby gain some advantage.
have someone's number on it: informal (of a bomb, bullet, or other missile) destined to find a specified person as its target.
someone's number is up: informal the time has come when someone is doomed to die or suffer some other disaster or setback.
[with reference to a lottery number or a number by which one may be identified]
without number: too many to count:they forgot the message times without number

Origin:

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

The construction the number of + plural noun is used with a singular verb (as in the number of people affected remains small). Thus it is the noun number rather than the noun people that is taken to agree with the verb (and is therefore functioning as the head noun). By contrast, the apparently similar construction a number of + plural noun is used with a plural verb (as in a number of people remain to be contacted). In this case, it is the noun people that acts as the head noun and with which the verb agrees. In the latter case, a number of works as if it were a single word, such as some or several. See also collective noun (usage) and lot.

number in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of number in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

number

noun

verb

Phrases

any number of

by numbers

by the numbers

someone's/something's days are numbered

do a number on

have someone's number

have someone's number on it

someone's number is up

without number

Origin:

number in other Oxford dictionaries

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