Definition of 'fourth'

Word Frequency

fourth

(fɔrθ )

Word forms: fourths

1. ordinal number

The fourth item in a series is the one that you count as number four.

Last year's winner was in fourth place.

2. fraction

A fourth is one of four equal parts of something.

[US]

Three-fourths of the public say they favor a national referendum on the issue.

Video: pronunciation of
fourth

fourth in American English

(fɔrθ ; foʊrθ )

adjective

preceded by three others in a series; 4th

designating any of the four equal parts of something

designating the forward gear ratio of a motor vehicle next after third gear

noun

the one following the third

any of the four equal parts of something; 1⁄4

6. Music

the fourth tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone three degrees above or below any given tone in such a scale; subdominant

the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them

adverb

in the fourth place, rank, group, etc.

Derived forms

fourthly (ˈfourthly)

adverb

Word origin

ME feorthe, ferthe < OE feortha: see four & -th2

Word Frequency

fourth in American English

(fɔrθ, fourθ)

adjective

next after the third; being the ordinal number for four

being one of four equal parts

3. Automobiles

of, pertaining to, or operating at the gear transmission ratio at which the drive shaft speed is greater than that of third gear for a given engine crankshaft speed, but not so great as that of fifth gear, if such exists

fourth gear

noun

a fourth part, esp. of one (1⁄4)

the fourth member of a series

6. Music

a tone on the fourth degree from a given tone (counted as the first)

the interval between such tones

the harmonic combination of such tones

7. Automobiles

fourth gear

She downshifted from fifth to fourth as we started up the hill

8. (cap; usually prec. by the)

Independence Day; the Fourth of July

adverb

in the fourth place; fourthly

Word origin

[bef. 950; ME fourthe, OE fēowertha. See four, -th2]

Word Frequency

fourth in British English

(fɔːθ )

adjective (usually prenominal)

coming after the third in order, position, time, etc. Often written: 4th

(as noun)

the fourth in succession

denoting the fourth forward ratio of a gearbox in motor vehicles

noun

3. music

the interval between one note and another four notes away from it counting inclusively along the diatonic scale

one of two notes constituting such an interval in relation to the other

the fourth forward ratio of a gearbox in a motor vehicle

he changed into fourth as soon as he had passed me

5. a less common word for quarter (sense 2)

adverb also: fourthly

after the third person, position, event, etc

sentence connector also: fourthly

as the fourth point: linking what follows with the previous statements, as in a speech or argument

Examples of 'fourth' in a sentence
fourth

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

That race worked out well with the third and fourth going in since.His new club squeezed into fourth place on the final day of last season.We were proud to be fourth last year and hope to be able to regain that status again soon.The broker has pencilled in a 500 million charge in the fourth quarter.As big a waste of time as fourth officials have become, in fact.I am on the fourth one now.Now the fourth series of the high-speed makeover show has arrived on our screens and the tiny residence is finished. Yesterday was a decent 40 and then a long wait to see when they would get their bonus point fourth try.I represent the fourth generation of the company and I want to grow it into an international operation.The fourth generation of the family are taken on orchard tours.