n

1 of 5

noun

ˈen 

plural n's or ns ˈenz 

often capitalized, often attributive

1

a

: the 14th letter of the English alphabet

b

: a graphic representation of this letter

c

: a speech counterpart of orthographic n

2

: a graphic device for reproducing the letter n

3

a

: one designated n especially as the 14th in order or class

b

: an indefinite number

especially : a constant integer (see integer sense 1) or a variable taking on integral values

4

: something shaped like the letter N

5

: the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes

6

: en sense 1

n

2 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1

name

2

nano-

3

navy

4

net

5

neuter

6

neutron

7

noon

8

normal

9

north; northern

10

note

11

noun

12

number

N

3 of 5

abbreviation (2)

1

naira; nairas

2

newton

N

4 of 5

symbol

nitrogen

-n

5 of 5

adjective suffix

see -en entry 1

Examples of n in a Sentence

Noun

a word that starts with an n

a word that starts with n

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing n

• n-type
• the n-word

Kids Definition

n

1 of 2 noun

ˈen

often capitalized

1

: the 14th letter of the English alphabet

2

: an unspecified quantity

the numbers from 1 to n

-n

2 of 2

see -en entry 1

Medical Definition

n

1 of 3 noun

ˈen 

plural n's or ns ˈenz 

1

: the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes compare x

2

capitalized : an antigen of human blood that shares a common genetic locus with the M antigen

N

2 of 3 abbreviation

1

nasal

2

newton

3

usually italicized normal (sense 4a)

—used of solutions

0.1 N hydrochloric acid

N

3 of 3 symbol

1

nitrogen

—usually italicized when used as a prefix

N-allylnormorphine

2

index of refraction