tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s  ˈten(t)ths 

1

: one that is number ten in a series

the tenth of February

She was the tenth in line.

see Table of Numbers

2

: one of ten equal parts of something

He sold the car for a tenth of its value.

3

a

: a musical interval embracing an octave and a third

b

: the tone at this interval

tenth adjective or adverb

the tenth floor

the world's tenth largest company

Examples of tenth in a Sentence

He was tenth in line.

He traded stocks for one tenth their face value.

I only paid a tenth of what you did for that jacket.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some thunderstorms could produce locally heavy downpours, with rainfall totals generally between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, though higher amounts are possible in storms. — The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Sun, 19 Aug. 2026

The two firms have formalized a joint venture that will combine Aramco’s geospatial data with Maaden’s mining expertise to explore about one-tenth of Saudi Arabia’s land. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 19 Aug. 2026

Most should see less than a tenth of an inch of rain on Wednesday. — Ron Smiley, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Prices dropped by just a tenth of a cent from June to roughly 20 cents per kilowatt-hour, the second-highest on record, according to BLS data. — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing tenth

• tenth-rate

Kids Definition

tenth

noun

ˈten(t)th 

plural tenths ˈten(t)s 

ˈten(t)ths

1

: one that is number 10 in a series see number

2

: one of 10 equal parts of something

3

: the one numbered 10 in a countable series

tenth adjective or adverb