noun
plural -bers
[count] :a word or symbol (such as five or 16) that represents a specific amount or quantity
[count] a number or a set of numbers and other symbols that is used to identify a person or thing
a person who is identified by a number and not treated in a personal or friendly way
phone number
the total amount of people or things [count]
b numbers [plural] :a large group of people or things
[count] a - used to indicate the position of someone or something in a numbered list or series
the version of a magazine, newspaper, etc., that is published at a particular time
[singular] formal :a group of people
[count] :a song or dance that is usually performed as part of a concert or performance
[count] informal :someone or something that is attractive or desirable
numbers [plural] :numbers that show amounts of money that are spent, earned, or needed
numbers [plural] chiefly US
numbers that show how many people are listening to or watching a particular radio or television program
numbers that show how a person (such as an athlete) has performed in the past
numbers [plural] US :a gambling game in which people bet on which numbers will be chosen each day
[noncount] grammar :the quality of a word form that shows whether the word is singular or plural
bad/good (etc.) with numbers
bad, good, etc., at using numbers (such as for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing)
beyond number
formal + literary :too many to count
by numbers
or US by the numbers
in a way that follows the rules or instructions but that is not interesting or original
do a number on
informal :to have a very bad effect on (someone or something) :to hurt or damage (someone or something)
have someone's number
informal :to be able to deal with or defeat someone easily especially because you know or understand that person so well
without number
formal :too many to count
your number is up
If your number is up, you are about to suffer or die.
verb
-bers; -bered; -bering
[+ obj] :to give a number to (someone or something in a series) :to label or identify (people or things in a series) with a number
used to indicate a total amount; [linking verb]
somewhat formal :to include (someone or something) as part of a larger group - + among or with; [+ obj]
usually used as (be) numbered
days are numbered
used to say that someone or something will die, fail, or end soon.