sixteen

American  

[siks-teen] / ˈsɪksˈtin /

noun

1. a cardinal number, ten plus six.

2. a symbol for this number, as 16 or XVI.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

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adjective

1. amounting to 16 in number.

sixteen British  

/ ˈsɪksˈtiːn /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and six See also number

2. a numeral, 16, XVI, etc, representing this number

3. music the numeral 16 used as the lower figure of a time signature to indicate that the beat is measured in semiquavers

4. something represented by, representing, or consisting of 16 units

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determiner

1. 1. amounting to sixteen

      sixteen tons

   2. ( as pronoun )

      sixteen are known to the police

Etymology

Origin of sixteen

before 900; Middle English, Old English sixtēne; cognate with Dutch zestien, German sechzehn, Old Norse sextān. See six, -teen

Example Sentences

“You know, when she was sixteen, she ran away to Oklahoma. Just took off with some guy. She was—what do you call it? Rebellious.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

All sixteen analysts that cover the stock have it rated a Buy and the consensus price target of just over $32 is more than 60% higher than its current price.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

Mulaney may have been Maron's guest, but the episode’s main takeaway was the host’s announcement that he’s ending his podcast after sixteen years.

From Salon • Jun. 4, 2025

"I've been there sixteen years, so it's been like watching my whole life just go," she said.

From BBC • Jan. 5, 2025

One fission becomes two, then four, eight, sixteen, and thirty-two.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland