by the numbers


a numeral or group of numerals.
the particular numeral assigned to an object so as to designate its place in a series: house number; license number.
a certain collection, company, or quantity not precisely reckoned, but usually considerable or large: I've gone there a number of times.
the full count of a collection or company.
a collection or company.
a quantity of individuals: Their number was more than 20,000.
a considerable amount or quantity; many: Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade.
metrical feet; verse.
musical periods, measures, or groups of notes.
numbers pool ( def 1 ).
Informal. the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.: We won't make a decision until we see the numbers.
Obsolete, arithmetic.
quantity as composed of units: to increase the number of eligible voters.
numerical strength or superiority; complement: The garrison is not up to its full number.
a tune or arrangement for singing or dancing.
a single or distinct performance within a show, as a song or dance: The comic routine followed the dance number.
a single part of a program made up of a group of similar parts: For her third number she played a nocturne.
any of a collection of poems or songs.
a single issue of a periodical: several numbers of a popular magazine.
a code of numerals, letters, or a combination of these assigned to a particular telephone: Did you call the right number?
Informal. person; individual: the attractive number standing at the bar.
Informal. an article of merchandise, especially of wearing apparel, offered for sale: Put those leather numbers in the display window.
mathematics regarded as a science, a basic concept, and a mode of thought: Number is the basis of science.
verb (used with object)
to mark with or distinguish by numbers: Number each of the definitions.
to amount to or comprise in number; total: The manuscript already numbers 425 pages.
to consider or include in a number: I number myself among his friends.
to count over one by one; tell: to number one's blessings.
to mention individually or one by one; enumerate: They numbered the highlights of their trip at length.
to set or fix the number of; limit in number; make few in number: The sick old man's days are numbered.
to live or have lived (a number of years).
to ascertain the number of; count.
to apportion or divide: The players were numbered into two teams.
verb (used without object)
to make a total; reach an amount: Casualties numbered in the thousands.
to be numbered or included (usually followed by among or with ): Several eminent scientists number among his friends.
to count.
by the numbers,
according to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.; orthodoxly; by the book: We're going to run things here by the numbers.
together or in unison to a called-out count: calisthenics by the numbers.
do a number on, Slang.
to undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly: The committee really did a number on the mayor's proposal.
to discuss or discourse about, especially in an entertaining way: She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb.
do one's number,
to give a performance; perform: It's time for you to get on stage and do your number.
Slang. to behave in a predictable or customary manner: Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk.
get/have someone's number, Informal. to become informed about someone's real motives, character, intentions, etc.: He was only interested in her fortune, but she got his number fast.
have one's number on it, Slang. to be thought of as the instrument of fate in the death of a person: That bullet had his number on it.
one is (was, will be) in serious trouble.
one is (was, will be) on the point of death: Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors.
without number, of unknown or countless number; vast: stars without number.


numberable, adjective
numberer, noun
denumber, verb (used with object)
misnumber, verb
prenumber, verb (used with object), noun
renumber, verb (used with object)
subnumber, noun

amount, number (see usage note at amount).


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World English Dictionary
number (ˈnʌmbə)
2.  the symbol used to represent a number; numeral
4.  the person or thing so identified or designated: she was number seven in the race
5.  the sum or quantity of equal or similar units or things: a large number of people
6.  one of a series, as of a magazine or periodical; issue
7.  a.  a self-contained piece of pop or jazz music
8.  a group or band of people, esp an exclusive group: he was not one of our number
9.  slang a person, esp a woman: who's that nice little number?
10.  informal an admired article, esp an item of clothing for a woman: that little number is by Dior
11.  slang a cannabis cigarette: roll another number
13.  any number of several or many
14.  military by numbers (of a drill procedure, etc) performed step by step, each move being made on the call of a number
15.  slang (US) do a number on someone to manipulate or trick someone
16.  informal get someone's number, have someone's number to discover someone's true character or intentions
17.  in numbers in large numbers; numerously
18.  informal (Brit) one's number is up one is finished; one is ruined or about to die
19.  without number, beyond number of too great a quantity to be counted; innumerable
20.  to assign a number to
21.  to add up to; total
22.  (also intr) to list (items) one by one; enumerate
23.  (also intr) to put or be put into a group, category, etc: they were numbered among the worst hit
24.  to limit the number of: his days were numbered
[C13: from Old French nombre, from Latin numerus]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

c.1300, "sum, aggregate of a collection," from Anglo-Fr. noumbre, from O.Fr. nombre, from L. numerus "a number, quantity," from PIE base *nem- "to divide, distribute, allot" (related to Gk. nemein "to deal out;" see nemesis). Meaning "symbol or figure of arithmatic value"
is from c.1391. The meaning "musical selection" is from vaudeville theater programs, where acts were marked by a number. The verb meaning "to count" is from c.1300. Number one "oneself" is from 1704 (mock-It. form numero uno attested from 1973); the biblical Book of Numbers (c.1400, L. Numeri, Gk. Arithmoi) so called because it begins with a census of the Israelites. No., "abbreviation for 'number,' " is from It. numero. Slang number one and number two for "urinate" and "defecate" attested from 1902. Number cruncher is 1966, of machines; 1971, of persons. To get or have (someone's) number "have someone figured out" is attested from 1853. The numbers "illegal lottery" is from 1897, Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

number num·ber (nŭm'bər)


  2. The place of any unit in a series.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
number   (nŭm'bər)  Pronunciation Key 


The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary

number definition


The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Slang Dictionary

number definition

  1. n.
    a girlor woman; a sexually attractive girl. : Who is that cute little number I saw you with?
  2. n.
    a marijuana cigarette. (Drugs.) : Shorty lit up a number just as the boss came in.
  3. n.
    any person or thing. : This is an interesting little number. You attach it to your bicycle handlebars.
  4. n.
    an act or performance; a performance specialty. : Ann did her number and left the stage.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw-Hill Education.
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American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

by the numbers

In a strict sequence, step-by-step; also, mechanically. For example, The only way to assemble this computer is to do it by the numbers, or Writing a novel is not something one can do by the numbers. This expression has nothing to do with actual numerical figures (like by the dozen) but uses numbers in the sense of a strict order or sequence.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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