num·ber (n?m?b?r)n.1. Mathematics a. A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.b. A member of any of the following sets of mathematical objects: integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers. These sets can be derived from the positive integers through various algebraic and analytic constructions.2. numbers Arithmetic.3. a. A symbol or word used to represent a number.b. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.4. a. A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers: the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.b. One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.5. A total; a sum: the number of feet in a mile.6. An indefinite quantity of units or individuals: The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.7. numbersa. A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.b. Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.8. Grammar The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.9. numbersa. Metrical feet or lines; verses: “These numbers will I tear, and write in prose” (Shakespeare).b. Obsolete Poetic meter.10. numbers Archaic Musical periods or measures.11. numbers(used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A numbers game.12. Numbers(used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.13. One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment: The band’s second number was a march.14. Slang A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance: suspects doing their usual number?protesting innocence.15. Slang A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic: a crafty number.v. num·bered, num·ber·ing, num·bers v.tr.1. To assign a number to or mark with a number: Did you number the pages of the report?2. To determine the number or amount of; count: Tickets sold for the show were numbered at 500.3. To total in number or amount; add up to: The ships in the harbor number around 100.4. To include in a group or category: He was numbered among the lost.5. To limit or restrict in number: Our days are numbered.v.intr.1. To call off numbers; count: numbering to ten.2. To have as a total; amount to a number: The applicants numbered in the thousands.Idioms: by the numbers1. In unison as numbers are called out by a leader: performing calisthenics by the numbers.2. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way. do a number on Slang To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way. get/have (someone’s) number To determine or know someone’s real character or motives. without/beyond number Too many to be counted; countless: mosquitoes without number.[Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus; see nem- in Indo-European roots.]num?ber·er n.Usage Note: As a collective noun number may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article the: The number of skilled workers is increasing. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article a: A number of the workers have learned new skills.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.number (?n?mb?) n1. (Mathematics) a concept of quantity that is or can be derived from a single unit, the sum of a collection of units, or zero. Every number occupies a unique position in a sequence, enabling it to be used in counting. It can be assigned to one or more sets that can be arranged in a hierarchical classification: every number is a complex number; a complex number is either an imaginary number or a real number, and the latter can be a rational number or an irrational number; a rational number is either an integer or a fraction, while an irrational number can be a transcendental number or an algebraic number. See complex number, imaginary number, real number, rational number, irrational number, integer, fraction, transcendental number, algebraic number See also cardinal number, ordinal number2. (Mathematics) the symbol used to represent a number; numeral3. a numeral or string of numerals used to identify a person or thing, esp in numerical order: a telephone number. 4. the person or thing so identified or designated: she was number seven in the race. 5. the sum or quantity of equal or similar units or things: a large number of people. 6. one of a series, as of a magazine or periodical; issue7. (Pop Music) a self-contained piece of pop or jazz music8. (Classical Music) a self-contained part of an opera or other musical score, esp one for the stage9. a group or band of people, esp an exclusive group: he was not one of our number. 10. slang a person, esp a woman: who’s that nice little number?. 11. informal an admired article, esp an item of clothing for a woman: that little number is by Dior. 12. (Recreational Drugs) slang a cannabis cigarette: roll another number. 13. (Grammar) a grammatical category for the variation in form of nouns, pronouns, and any words agreeing with them, depending on how many persons or things are referred to, esp as singular or plural in number and in some languages dual or trial14. any number of several or many15. (Military) by numbers military (of a drill procedure, etc) performed step by step, each move being made on the call of a number16. do a number on someone slang US to manipulate or trick someone17. get someone’s number have someone’s number informal to discover someone’s true character or intentions18. in numbers in large numbers; numerously19. one’s number is up informal Brit one is finished; one is ruined or about to die20. without number beyond number of too great a quantity to be counted; innumerablevb (mainly tr) 21. to assign a number to22. to add up to; total23. (also intr) to list (items) one by one; enumerate24. (also intr) to put or be put into a group, category, etc: they were numbered among the worst hit. 25. to limit the number of: his days were numbered. [C13: from Old French nombre, from Latin numerus]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014num?ber (?n?m b?r) n. 1. a mathematical unit used to express an amount, quantity, etc., usu. having precise relations with other such units: Six is an even number. 2. a numeral or group of numerals. 3. the sum, total, or aggregate of a collection of units: the number of people with reserved seats. 4. the particular numeral assigned to an object to designate its place in a series: a house number; a license number. 5. one of a series of things distinguished by or marked with numerals. 6. a certain collection or quantity not precisely reckoned, but considerable: a number of times. 7. a collection or company. 8. numbers, a. a considerable quantity; many: Numbers came to the parade. b. numerical strength or superiority. c. metrical feet; verse. d. numbers pool (def. 1). e. Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc. f. arithmetic. 9. a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing. 10. a distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance. 11. a single issue of a periodical. 12. a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these, as that assigned to a particular telephone. 13. Gram. a category of inflection or other variation in the form of a word serving to indicate whether the word has one or more than one referent, as in the distinction between singular and plural and, in some languages, dual or trial. 14. Informal. person; individual: a cute number. 15. Informal. an article of merchandise, esp. of wearing apparel, offered for sale. v.t. 16. to mark with or distinguish by numbers. 17. to amount to or comprise in number; total. 18. to consider or include in a number: I number myself among his friends. 19. to count over one by one; enumerate; tell. 20. to fix the number of. 21. to ascertain the amount or quantity of; count. 22. to apportion or divide. v.i. 23. to make a total; reach an amount. 24. to count. Idioms: 1. by the numbers, a. according to standard procedures; by the book. b. together or in unison to a called-out count. 2. do a number on, Slang. to undermine or humiliate. 3. without number, of unknown or countless number; vast. [1250?1300; (n.) Middle English nombre