counting number

noun

Mathematics.

1. whole number.

Word History and Origins

Origin of counting number¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

One is the first counting number, two is the second counting number, and three is the third.

Read more on Literature

The first few weeks, they have to teach counting, number recognition, letter names, and letter sounds.

Read more on Slate

Mathematicians call sets of this size “countable,” because you can assign one counting number to each element in each set.

Read more on Scientific American