cardinal number
noun
Also called cardinal numeral.
any of the numbers that express amount, as one, two, three, etc. (distinguished from ordinal number).
Origin of cardinal number
First recorded in 1585–95
Words nearby cardinal number
British Dictionary definitions for cardinal number
cardinal number
cardinal numeral
noun
a number denoting quantity but not order in a set
Sometimes shortened to: cardinal
maths logic
- a measure of the size of a set that does not take account of the order of its membersCompare natural number
- a particular number having this function
Compare
ordinal number
Scientific definitions for cardinal number
cardinal number
[ kär′dn-əl ]
A number, such as 3, 11, or 412, used in counting to indicate quantity but not order. Compare ordinal number.