num·ber (nŭm'bər)
n.

1. Mathematics.
   1. A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.
   2. A member of any of the further sets of mathematical objects, such as negative integers and real numbers.
2. numbers Arithmetic.
3. 1. A symbol or word used to represent a number.
   2. A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification: his telephone number; the apartment number.
4. 1. A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers: the house that is number three from the corner; ranked number six in her class.
   2. One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order: an old number of a magazine.
5. A total; a sum: the number of feet in a mile.
6. An indefinite quantity of units or individuals: The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
7. numbers
   1. A large quantity; a multitude: Numbers of people visited the fair.
   2. Numerical superiority: The South had leaders, the North numbers.
8. Grammar. The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
9. numbers
   1. Metrical feet or lines; verses: "These numbers will I tear, and write in prose" (Shakespeare).
   2. Obsolete. Poetic meter.
10. numbers Archaic. Musical periods or measures.
11. numbers (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games. A numbers game.
12. Numbers (used with a sing. verb) (Abbr. Num. or Nb) A book of the Bible.
13. One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment: The band's second number was a march.
14. Slang. A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance: suspects doing their usual number-protesting innocence.
15. Slang. A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic: a crafty number.

v., -bered, -ber·ing, -bers.

v.tr.

1. To assign a number to.
2. To determine the number or amount of; count.
3. To total in number or amount; add up to.
4. To include in a group or category: He was numbered among the lost.
5. To mention one by one; enumerate.
6. To limit or restrict in number: Our days are numbered.

v.intr.

1. To call off numbers; count: numbering to ten.
2. To constitute a group or number: The applicants numbered in the thousands.

idioms:

by the numbers

1. In unison as numbers are called out by a leader: performing calisthenics by the numbers.
2. In a strict, step-by-step or mechanical way.

do a number on Slang.

1. To defeat, abuse, or humiliate in a calculated and thorough way.

get (or have) (someone's) number

1. To determine or know someone's real character or motives.

without (or beyond) number

1. Too many to be counted; countless: mosquitoes without number.

[Middle English nombre, from Old French, from Latin numerus.]

numberer num'ber·er n.

USAGE NOTE   As a collective noun number may take either a singular or a plural verb. It takes a singular verb when it is preceded by the definite article the: The number of skilled workers is small. It takes a plural verb when preceded by the indefinite article a: A number of the workers are unskilled.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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