ordinal number


noun

Also called ordinal numeral. any of the numbers that express degree, quality, or position in a series, as first, second, and third (distinguished from cardinal number).
Mathematics. a symbol denoting both the cardinal number and the ordering of a given set, being identical for two ordered sets having elements that can be placed into one-to-one correspondence, the correspondence preserving the order of the elements.

Origin of ordinal number

First recorded in 1600–10

British Dictionary definitions for ordinal number

ordinal number

noun

a number denoting relative position in a sequence, such as first, second, third Sometimes shortened to: ordinal
logic maths a measure of not only the size of a set but also the order of its elements
Compare cardinal number

Scientific definitions for ordinal number

ordinal number
[ ôrdn-əl ]

A number, such as 3rd, 11th, or 412th, used in counting to indicate position in a series but not quantity. Compare cardinal number.