thirteenth

American  

[thur-teenth] / ˈθɜrˈtinθ /

adjective

1. next after the twelfth; being the ordinal number for 13.

2. being one of 13 equal parts.

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noun

1. a thirteenth part, especially of one (1/13).

2. the thirteenth member of a series.

thirteenth British  

/ ˈθɜːˈtiːnθ /

adjective

1. (usually prenominal)

   1. coming after the twelfth in numbering or counting order, position, time, etc; being the ordinal number of thirteen: often written 13th

   2. ( as noun )

      Friday the thirteenth

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noun

1. 1. one of 13 equal or nearly equal parts of something

   2. ( as modifier )

      a thirteenth part

2. the fraction equal to one divided by 13 ( 1/ 13 )

3. music

   1. an interval of one octave plus a sixth See also interval

   2. short for thirteenth chord

Etymology

Origin of thirteenth

before 900; thirteen + -th ²; replacing Middle English thrittenthe ( see three, tenth), Old English thryttēotha ( see tithe)

Example Sentences

The report also found a thirteenth, now-retired officer, from South Yorkshire Police, would have faced misconduct proceedings.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

The authors of the Speculum paper write that this identification was a mistaken one, the result of a misreading, in the thirteenth century, of an account of the giant written in Latin.

From Science Daily • Mar. 25, 2024

The rescuers saw their hopes dashed on the thirteenth day of the operation, when their drilling machine broke down beyond repair.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 28, 2023

No date has been set for a thirteenth attempt to elect a president.

From Washington Times • Jun. 14, 2023

A small merchant ship, in the early thirteenth century BCE was making its way between two of the five tiny islands off Cape Gelidonya on the southwest coast of Turkey.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler