forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five ˌfȯr-tē-ˈfīv 

1

: a number that is five more than 40 see Table of Numbers

2

: a .45 caliber handgun

—usually written .45

3

: a phonograph record designed to be played at 45 revolutions per minute

—usually written 45

forty-five adjective

forty-five pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of forty-five in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This production, which collapses in its first few instants and then drags itself painfully along for two hours and forty-five minutes, is a cautionary tale about relying on stardom. —Helen Shaw, The New Yorker, 28 Feb. 2025

More than one hundred different looks and accessories are featured in the exhibition and forty-five of fashion’s most emblematic houses and designers have loaned pieces to the Louvre. —Lee Sharrock, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

Since the Civic began holding events there, the Legion’s revenue has grown by forty-five per cent. —Chelsea Edgar, The New Yorker, 31 Jan. 2025

In mid-July, the U.K. hosted forty-five European leaders, including Volodymyr Zelensky, of Ukraine, at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, where eight hundred scones were served to the guests for tea. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forty-five

• overdrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive
• contrive
• deprive
• derive
• revive
• survive
• dive

Kids Definition

forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five

ˌfȯrt-ē-ˈfīv

: a .45 caliber pistol

—usually written .45