numeral

American  

[noo-mer-uhl, nyoo-, noom-ruhl, nyoom-] / ˈnu mər əl, ˈnyu-, ˈnum rəl, ˈnyum- /

noun

1. a word, letter, symbol, or figure, etc., expressing a number; number.

   the Roman numerals.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of numbers or numerals.

2. expressing or noting a number or numbers.

numeral British  

/ ˈnjuːmərəl /

noun

1. a symbol or group of symbols used to express a number: for example, 6 ( Arabic ), VI ( Roman ), 110 ( binary )

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adjective

1. of, consisting of, or denoting a number

numeral Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′mər-əl /

1. A symbol or mark used to represent a number.

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numeral Cultural  

1. A word or symbol used to represent a number.

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Other Word Forms

• nonnumeral
  noun

Etymology

Origin of numeral

1520–30; < Late Latin numerālis of, belonging to number, equivalent to Latin numer ( us ) number + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

A numeral is a symbol that stands for a number. When you set an online password, it's safest to use both numerals and letters. The actual symbol that represents a number is technically called a numeral, although many people use numeral and number interchangeably. You might have a watch with glow-in-the-dark numerals, or use the calculator on your smart phone to add up numerals. You can also use numeral as an adjective: "How many numeral cards are in the deck and how many face cards?" The Latin root is numerus, or "number."

Example Sentences

Roman numerals: For the first time since the fourth Super Bowl, the game will not be referred to by a Roman Numeral.

From New York Times • Jan. 25, 2016

A brief account of the development of the system will be found under Numeral.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various

A Numeral Adjective, in both languages, is placed before its Noun; as also iomadh, plusieurs; except when joined to a proper name, where the Cardinal is used for the Ordinal; Seumas a Ceithir, Jaques Quatre.

From Elements of Gaelic Grammar by Stewart, Alexander

What are the values of X as a Numeral?

From 1001 Questions and Answers on Orthography and Reading by Hathaway, B. A.

As a Numeral, what is the value of Q?

From 1001 Questions and Answers on Orthography and Reading by Hathaway, B. A.