decimal
[ des-uh-muh l, des-muh l ]
/ ˈdɛs ə məl, ˈdɛs məl /
adjective
pertaining to tenths or to the number 10.
proceeding by tens: a decimal system.
noun
Origin of decimal
OTHER WORDS FROM decimal
dec·i·mal·ly, adverbWords nearby decimal
Example sentences from the Web for decimals
British Dictionary definitions for decimals
decimal
/ (ˈdɛsɪməl) /
noun
Also called: decimal fraction
a fraction that has a denominator of a power of ten, the power depending on or deciding the decimal place. It is indicated by a decimal point to the left of the numerator, the denominator being omitted. Zeros are inserted between the point and the numerator, if necessary, to obtain the correct decimal place
any number used in the decimal system
adjective
- relating to or using powers of ten
- of the base ten
(prenominal)
expressed as a decimal
Derived forms of decimal
decimally, adverbWord Origin for decimal
C17: from Medieval Latin
decimālis of tithes, from Latin
decima a tenth, from
decem ten
Scientific definitions for decimals
decimal
[ dĕs′ə-məl ]
A representation of a real number using the base ten and decimal notation, such as 201.4, 3.89, or 0.0006.
A decimal fraction.
Cultural definitions for decimals
decimals
Fractional numbers (see fraction) expressed as whole numbers of tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on. One-half, for example, is 0.5 in decimal terms.