decimal system

American  

noun

1. a system of counting or measurement, the units of which are powers of 10: the numerical system in common worldwide use.

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decimal system British  

noun

1. the number system in general use, having a base of ten, in which numbers are expressed by combinations of the ten digits 0 to 9

2. a system of measurement, such as the metric system, in which the multiple and submultiple units are related to a basic unit by powers of ten

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decimal system Scientific  

1. A number system based on units of 10 and using decimal notation.

2. A system of measurement in which all derived units are multiples of 10 of the fundamental units.

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Etymology

Origin of decimal system

First recorded in 1835–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

decimal system

In politics, as in many other areas of human endeavor, the decimal system assumes importance, and we often refer to hundred-day periods.

From Washington Post ● May 1, 2023

The “Kaktovik numerals,” named after the Alaskan village where they were created, looked utterly different from decimal system numerals and functioned differently, too.

From Scientific American ● Apr. 10, 2023

And all the guests, the soldiers who had done derring-do, and the librarians with their decimal system, everyone was just like “Oh, my gosh, it’s the queen.”

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 15, 2022

Think of the Dewey decimal system in a library.

From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2018

She headed into the stacks, jingling her ear with her finger, tuning in her internal Dewey decimal system, another sign she was a born librarian.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx

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