numerical

adjective

nu·​mer·​i·​cal nu̇-ˈmer-i-kəl How to pronounce numerical (audio)
nyu̇-
1
: of or relating to numbers
the numerical superiority of the enemy
2
: expressed in or involving numbers or a number system
numerical standing in a class
a numerical code
numerically
nu̇-ˈmer-i-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce numerical (audio)
nyu̇-
adverb

Examples of numerical in a Sentence

The files are organized according to a numerical system. The files are in numerical order.
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.
Granted, governments bend or break hard numerical laws when politics demand it, as is the case in Ghana and Kenya. — Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 23 Oct. 2026 However, the city did not provide a numerical breakdown of the crimes attributed to the technology or supporting data for its claim that the cameras have helped solve hundreds of cases. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026 The researchers reported that PROTEA could distinguish harmful and benign plans with reasonable accuracy, although the university’s announcement did not provide numerical detection rates. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026 In fact, numerical simulations of Schrödinger’s equation have recently shown that with each additional particle, decoherence becomes roughly twice as strong. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for numerical

Word History

Etymology

Latin numerus number entry 1 + -ical

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of numerical was in 1628

Phrases Containing numerical

Rhymes for numerical

See All Rhymes for numerical

Browse Nearby Words

numeric
numerical
numerical analysis
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Cite this Entry

“Numerical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/numerical. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

numerical

adjective
nu·​mer·​i·​cal n(y)u̇-ˈmer-i-kəl How to pronounce numerical (audio)
1
: of or relating to numbers
2
: shown in or involving numbers or a number system
numerical order
numerically
-k(ə-)lē How to pronounce numerical (audio)
adverb
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