digit

American  

[dij-it] / ˈdɪdʒ ɪt /

noun

1. a finger or toe.

2. the breadth of a finger used as a unit of linear measure, usually equal to 3/4 inch (2 centimeters).

3. any of the Arabic figures of 1 through 9 and 0.

4. any of the symbols of other number systems, as 0 or 1 in the binary.

5. index.

6. Astronomy. the twelfth part of the sun's or moon's diameter: used to express the magnitude of an eclipse.

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digit British  

/ ˈdɪdʒɪt /

noun

1. a finger or toe

2. Also called: figure.  any of the ten Arabic numerals from 0 to 9

3. another name for finger

4. astronomy one twelfth of the diameter of the sun or moon, used to express the magnitude of an eclipse

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Etymology

Origin of digit

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin digitus “finger, toe”

Explanation

If you want to sound smart, you can refer to your finger, thumb, or toe as a digit. Each of the numbers from 0 to 9 is another kind of digit. Although your pinkie toe may seem to be completely unrelated to the number three, each is a kind of digit. In fact, the practice of calling numbers digits comes from the digits on your hands — specifically, the habit of counting to ten on your fingers. The Latin root word digitus means "finger or toe," and English borrowed from this to mean "number."

Example Sentences

Looking ahead, Ralph Lauren forecasts fiscal first-quarter sales rising in the mid-to-high-single digit percentages.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

For the anniversary, I didn’t want to charge a triple digit entry price for one big party.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

The project also included Duke University plastic surgeon David A. Brown, who studies digit regeneration in mice, and Kenneth D. Poss of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whose research focuses on fin regeneration in zebrafish.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

The company reiterated its guidance for full-year adjusted earnings growth in a range of a low-single digit decline to slightly positive growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

“One digit to two. You’ll be two digits now for the next ninety years.”

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline