a number of

Idioms  

1. A collection of persons or things; several. For example, A number of tours are available, or We've visited a number of times. This idiom often is modified by an adjective giving some idea of quantity, as in Only a small number are going. [1300s] Also see any number of.

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Example Sentences

Each hand is seen interacting with an object sourced from a number of surrounding museums and cultural institutions, including Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and Holocaust Museum LA.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

There are a number of people who can take credit for the transformation of South Beach.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Once you get onto the platform, you’re going to be designed into that auto for a number of years.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

I think it’s gone through a number of cycles.

From Slate • May 7, 2026

“I’ve seen a number of pets live long, healthy lives with diabetes,” he said.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas