numerator

American  

[noo-muh-rey-ter, nyoo-] / ˈnu məˌreɪ tər, ˈnyu- /

noun

1. Arithmetic. the term of a fraction, usually above the line, that indicates the number of equal parts that are to be added together; the dividend placed over a divisor.

   The numerator of the fraction 2/3 is 2.

2. a person or thing that numbers.

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numerator British  

/ ˈnjuːməˌreɪtə /

noun

1. maths the dividend of a fraction Compare denominator

   the numerator of is 7

2. a person or thing that numbers; enumerator

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numerator Scientific  

/ no̅o̅′mə-rā′tər /

1. A number written above or to the left of the line in a common fraction to indicate the number of parts of the whole. For example, 2 is the numerator in the fraction 2/7.

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numerator Cultural  

1. In mathematics, the number that appears on the top of a fraction. In the fraction 2/3, the numerator is 2. (Compare denominator.)

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Etymology

Origin of numerator

1535–45; < Late Latin numerātor a counter, numberer, equivalent to Latin numerā ( re ) to number + -tor -tor

Compare meaning

How does numerator compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• numerator vs. denominator

Explanation

In math, the top number in a fraction is called the numerator. The numerator is the number that will be divided by the bottom number, or denominator. A common fraction looks like two numbers, one above the other, with a line between the numerator and denominator. One simple way to understand a fraction is to imagine a pizza. The denominator shows you how many equal pieces the pizza is divided into, and the numerator represents how many of those pieces you have. In Latin, numerator means "counter or numberer."

Example Sentences

Their concern, however, stems from the level of the numerator rather than the sustainability of the denominator.

From Barron's • Dec. 3, 2025

Note that the plunging ratio tells us nothing about the U.S. economy, since the economy affects both the numerator and the denominator of the ratio and therefore has no net effect on its level.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025

A rational exponent is a fraction: the denominator of the fraction is the root or index number and the numerator is the power to which it is raised.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

The product concentration and the numerator of Qc decrease with time, the reactant concentrations and the denominator of Qc increase, and the reaction quotient consequently decreases until it becomes constant at equilibrium.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

All of these expressions, but especially 0/0, could take on any value you desire them to have, depending on the functions you put in the numerator and denominator.

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

Related Words

• figure
• statistic
• sum
• total