eighteen

noun

eigh·​teen (ˈ)ā(t)-ˈtēn How to pronounce eighteen (audio)
: a number that is one more than seventeen see Table of Numbers
eighteen adjective
eighteen pronoun, plural in construction
eighteenth
(ˈ)ā(t)-ˈtēn(t)th How to pronounce eighteen (audio)
adjective or noun

Examples of eighteen in a Sentence

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.
The second day found six out of the eighteen that will eventually be chosen, including alternates. — Philip Elliott, TIME, 16 Apr. 2024 Over the past decade, private capital inflows into the defense sector have risen more than eighteen-fold—reflecting a shift driven by geopolitical instability, digitization of the battlefield, and the recognition that public procurement systems alone cannot deliver capability at the speed required. — Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2025 This family ski resort lies southwest of Traverse City and has two eighteens, which offer a nice variety of challenge, on Mountain Ridge with its more dramatic elevation changes and the more user friendly, playable Betsie Valley with its flatter tree lined fairways. — Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English eightetene, adjective, from Old English eahtatīene, from eahta + -tīene; akin to Old English tīen ten

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of eighteen was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing eighteen

Rhymes for eighteen

See All Rhymes for eighteen

Browse Nearby Words

eight ball
eighteen
eighteenmo
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Cite this Entry

“Eighteen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eighteen. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

eighteen

noun
eigh·​teen (ˌ)ā(t)-ˈtēn How to pronounce eighteen (audio)
: a number that is one more than seventeen see number
eighteen adjective or pronoun
eighteenth
-ˈtēn(t)th How to pronounce eighteen (audio)
adjective or noun

More from Merriam-Webster on eighteen

Nglish: Translation of eighteen for Spanish Speakers

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