forty-eight

American  

[fawr-tee-eyt] / ˈfɔr tiˈeɪt /

noun

1. a cardinal number, 40 plus 8.

2. a symbol for this number, such as 48 or XLVIII.

3. a set of 48 persons or things.

   Of the two parties that reserved a private room tonight, the forty-eight is the larger, so put them in the east dining room just off the lounge.

4. Informal. the forty-eight, the conterminous United States.

   Crossing the border into Alberta, Canada, was the first time he’d ventured beyond the forty-eight.

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adjective

1. amounting to 48 in number.

   So far, forty-eight students have registered for soccer.

Example Sentences

On some clear days, there are only forty eight birds and forty eight people and forty eight houses.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2024

One hundred and forty eight of his own MPs want rid of him.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2022

Eight hundred and forty eight job classifications are impacted.

From Washington Times • Feb. 1, 2016

Within the corners, for the four quarters, the forty eight minutes.

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2016

I haue yeares on my backe forty eight Lear.

From King Lear by Shakespeare, William