fourth

noun

ˈfȯrth

plural fourths ˈfȯr(th)s

: one that is number four in a series see Table of Numbers

: a musical interval (see interval sense 2) embracing four tones of the diatonic scale

: a tone at this interval

specifically : subdominant sense 1

: the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart

: the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle

shifted into fourth

capitalized : independence day

—used with the

watched fireworks on the Fourth

fourth adjective or adverb

fourthly adverb

Example Sentences

cut the cake into fourths She drank a fourth of the bottle.

Recent Examples on the Web Some of the introductions are considered tropical, and others are hardy to zone 7 or 8, so should overwinter in three fourths of our state. —

Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 25 June 2023 On Sunday, Europe Now won about a fourth of the seats in the Montenegrin parliament. —

Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune Crypto, 15 June 2023 The third season of the show just wrapped and Starz is expected to pick it up for a fourth. —

Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2023 That’s less than a fourth of the number who walked off the job in 2021. —

William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, 16 June 2023 Marchessault's goal was his 13th in his last 13 playoff games, his fourth of this series and his third with the man advantage. —

Tim Reynolds, ajc, 9 June 2023 Bruce Bennett/Getty Marchessault’s goal was his 13th in his last 13 playoff games, his fourth of this series and his third with the man advantage. —

Tim Reynolds, BostonGlobe.com, 8 June 2023 Deemed a success, the test was expanded to 50 stores and in July 2019, Cooler Screens and Walgreens entered into a multiyear agreement to install the technology in 2,500 stores across the U.S. — roughly a fourth of the pharmacy chain’s retail footprint. —

Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2023 Aubrey had won three consecutive elimination games entering the matchup in the regional quarterfinals and regional semifinals but did not have enough in the tank to add a fourth. —

Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas News, 2 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fourth.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.