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Definition of decimal noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

decimal

noun
 
/ˈdesɪml/
 
/ˈdesɪml/
 (mathematics)
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  1. (also decimal fraction)
     [countable] a fraction (= a number less than one) that is shown as a point followed by the number of tenths, hundredths, etc.
    • The decimal 0.61 stands for 61 hundredths.
    see also recurring decimal, repeating decimal compare vulgar fractionTopics Maths and measurementc1
  2. [uncountable] the system of numbers that counts in tens or tenths
    • The computer converts the data from decimal to binary.
    compare binary, hexadecimal
    3. Word Originearly 17th cent.: from modern Latin decimalis (adjective), from Latin decimus ‘tenth’.
See decimal in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee decimal in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: decimal

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
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Physics and chemistry
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