number

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

• “he had a number of chores to do”
• “the number of parameters is small”
• “the figure was about a thousand”

a concept of quantity derived from zero and units

• “every number has a unique position in the sequence”

a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program

• “he did his act three times every evening”
• “she had a catchy little routine”
• “it was one of the best numbers he ever did”

a numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification

• “she refused to give them her Social Security number”

the number is used in calling a particular telephone

• “he has an unlisted number”

a symbol used to represent a number

• “he learned to write the numerals before he went to school”

one of a series published periodically

• “she found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist”

a select company of people

• “I hope to become one of their number before I die”

the grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural)

• “in English the subject and the verb must agree in number”

an item of merchandise offered for sale

• “she preferred the black nylon number”
• “this sweater is an all-wool number”

a clothing measurement

• “a number 13 shoe”

add up in number or quantity

• “The bills amounted to $2,000”
• “The bill came to $2,000”

give numbers to

• “You should number the pages of the thesis”

enumerate

• “We must number the names of the great mathematicians”

put into a group

• “The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members”

determine the number or amount of

• “Can you count the books on your shelf?”
• “Count your change”

place a limit on the number of