a number of

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.

Example Sentences

For a start, SPD fought this election in a formal alliance with a number of fringe parties on the far-right, meaning they will have to yield some of their seats to them.

From BBC

Mr Hayden also runs a security firm which supports a number of pubs and clubs across Port Talbot and the surrounding area.

From BBC

On Friday, Hamas agreed to release all the remaining Israeli hostages - living and dead - but said it wanted further negotiations on a number of key points outlined in the US peace plan.

From BBC

He wrote a number of unfortunate tweets over the years under the name “phdofbombsaway”—and they don’t even offer doctoral degrees in that subject.

From Slate

A number of ferry crossings between Cairnryan, in Dumfries and Galloway, and Northern Ireland were cancelled.

From BBC