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

Example Sentences

In my own library visits I'd also frequently wind up with something from a different place in the Dewey decimal system too.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 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

Hummel says, “I know librarians who organize their home libraries by the Dewey decimal system, but I am not one of them. That said, I do have my books organized quite intentionally by topic.”

From Seattle Times • Nov. 3, 2022

Who needs a decimal system for weights and measures?

From Washington Post • Apr. 25, 2022

More than 5,000 years ago, before the time of the pyramids, the ancient Egyptians designed a system for transcribing their decimal system, where pictures stood for numbers.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife