fourth

noun

plural fourths ˈfȯr(th)s How to pronounce fourth (audio)
1
: one that is number four in a series
I was the fourth to arrive.
They arrive on the fourth. [=the fourth day of the month]
see Table of Numbers
2
: one of four equal parts of something : quarter entry 1
Cut the cake into fourths.
a fourth of the population
3
a
: a musical interval (see interval sense 2) embracing four tones of the diatonic scale
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically : subdominant sense 1
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart
4
: the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
shifted into fourth
5
the Fourth : July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 : Fourth of July
watched fireworks on the Fourth

called also Independence Day

fourth adjective or adverb
the fourth edition of a book
the fourth tallest mountain
fourthly adverb
Fourthly, don't sing a whole opera through … Mark Twain

Examples of fourth in a Sentence

cut the cake into fourths She drank a fourth of the bottle.
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.
But Indiana took control from then onwards, going on a huge 19-0 run in the third quarter before 10 points from Mitchell in the fourth helped round out the win. Jamie Barton, CNN Money, 15 June 2025 Houston scored three runs in the first inning, all of which came with a pair of outs, two more in the second, another three in the third and one in the fourth. Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 14 June 2025 The Pacers carried an 87-80 advantage into the fourth. Joe Vardon, New York Times, 14 June 2025 Related Stories Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom's Relationship Timeline Katy Perry Shares the No. 1 Rule That Keeps Her Relationship with Orlando Bloom Going Strong (Exclusive) Perry recently sold out three shows in Mexico and ended up adding a fourth. Daniela Avila, People.com, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for fourth

Word History

Etymology

see four

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of fourth was in 1594

Cite this Entry

“Fourth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

fourth

noun
ˈfō(ə)rth How to pronounce fourth (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)rth
1
: one that is number four in a series see number
2
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the fourth tone of a scale
fourth adjective or adverb
fourthly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on fourth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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