dozen

noun

doz·​en ˈdə-zᵊn How to pronounce dozen (audio)
plural dozens or dozen
1
: a group of 12
2
: an indefinitely large number
dozens of times
3
the dozens plural in form but singular in construction : a ritualized African American word game that consists of exchanging insults usually about the members of an opponent's family
dozen adjective
dozenth adjective

Examples of dozen in a Sentence

dozens of new songs were auditioned and rejected
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
More than a dozen Latin American countries have signed onto the Belt and Road Initiative after Panama, and Chinese influence in Central and South America continues to grow. Timothy Nerozzi, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Jan. 2025 In a cul-de-sac along Alta Crest Drive, where more than a dozen homes burned, neighbors wept together in the street. Colleen Shalby, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025 There are dozens of unexplained incursions of our airspace every year. Scott Simon, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025 Then President Trump will have to undertake a two-and-a-half-month campaign with a dozen or more mass rallies to explain the bill to the American people. Newt Gingrich, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for dozen 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dozeine, from Anglo-French duzeine, dozeyne, from duze twelve, from Latin duodecim, from duo two + decem ten — more at two, ten

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dozen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near dozen

Cite this Entry

“Dozen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dozen. Accessed 16 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

dozen

noun
doz·​en ˈdəz-ᵊn How to pronounce dozen (audio)
plural dozens or dozen
: a group of twelve
dozen adjective
dozenth adjective
Etymology

Middle English dozeine "dozen," from early French dozeyne (same meaning), derived from Latin duodecim "twelve," from duo "two" and decem "ten" — related to decimal, dime, dual

More from Merriam-Webster on dozen

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