decimal place

American  

noun

1. the position of a digit to the right of a decimal point; a specific number of digits to the right of the decimal point in a line of numbers.

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decimal place British  

noun

1. the position of a digit after the decimal point, each successive position to the right having a denominator of an increased power of ten

   in 0.025, 5 is in the third decimal place

2. the number of digits to the right of the decimal point Compare significant figures

   3.142 is a number given to three decimal places

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decimal place Scientific  

1. The position of a digit to the right of the decimal point in a number written in decimal notation. In 0.079, for example, 0 is in the first decimal place, 7 is in the second decimal place, and 9 is in the third decimal place.

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Example Sentences

The BLS put the August jobless rate at 4.3% External link, rounded to a single decimal place.

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

In addition, there are numerous algorithms that spit out the 587 millionth decimal place of π at will.

From Scientific American • May 23, 2023

He said his review of McNaughton's case primarily involved reading a United nurse's recommendation to deny his care and making sure "that there wasn't a decimal place that was out of line."

From Salon • Feb. 2, 2023

A tiny difference in the 14th decimal place between Alice’s kidney score and Bob’s doesn’t actually mean that Alice would do better with a transplant.

From Slate • Aug. 31, 2022

It is not to be expected that accurate results can be had in the second decimal place, with the balances usually available to jewelers.

From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram