decimal point

American  

[des-uh-muhl point, des-muhl] / ˈdɛs ə məl ˌpɔɪnt, ˈdɛs məl /

noun

Arithmetic.

1. a dot used to separate the whole part of a mixed number from its fractional part: for example, in the mixed number 32.89, the whole part is 32 whole units, the fractional part is 89 one-hundredths, and the dot that allows for the expression 32.89 is the decimal point.

   If you want to multiply 14.675 by 10, just move the decimal point one place to the right to get 146.75, the correct answer.

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decimal point British  

noun

1. a full stop or a raised full stop placed between the integral and fractional parts of a number in the decimal system

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decimal point Scientific  

1. A period used in decimal notation to separate whole numbers from fractions, as in the number 1.3, which represents 1 + 3/10.

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decimal point Cultural  

1. The point or dot placed to the left of decimals to separate them from the whole number portion of the decimal. When the number is spoken aloud, the word point is usually used to signify the decimal point. For example, “8.3” is read “eight point three.”

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Usage

Conventions relating to the use of the decimal point are confused. The IX General Conference on Weights and Measures resolved in 1948 that the decimal point should be a point on the line or a comma, but not a centre dot. It also resolved that figures could be grouped in threes about the decimal point, but that no point or comma should be used for this purpose. These conventions are adopted in this dictionary. However, the Decimal Currency Board recommended that for sums of money the centre dot should be used as the decimal point and that the comma should be used as the thousand marker. Moreover, in some countries the position is reversed, the comma being used as the decimal point and the dot as the thousand marker

Etymology

Origin of decimal point

First recorded in 1700–05

Example Sentences

“My usual rule of thumb is, move the decimal point one place to the left,” Matheson said.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 24, 2026

That little decimal point wasn’t a lot, but then, artificial intelligence was barely a decimal point’s worth of those index funds a few years ago.

From Slate • Feb. 3, 2026

Readers see little of Ruth’s writing, but know her business transactions down to the last decimal point.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

Many people use 3.14159, but even that’s not quite right, because the digits to the right of the decimal point in pi go on forever.

From NewsForKids.net • Mar. 14, 2024

I moved the decimal point without using pencil nor paper and said, “One tenth of a hundred and twenty-two years comes to twelve full years and two-tenths of a year, sir.”

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis