quantity
noun
quan·ti·ty
ˈkwän-tə-tē 
plural quantities
1
a
: an indefinite amount or number
b
: a determinate or estimated amount
c
: total amount or number
d
: a considerable amount or number
—often used in plural
generous quantities of luck—
H. E. Putsch
H. E. Putsch2
a
: the aspect in which a thing is measurable in terms of greater, less, or equal or of increasing or decreasing magnitude
b
: the subject of a mathematical operation
c
: an individual considered with respect to a given situation
an unknown quantity … as attorney general—Tom Wicker
Tom Wicker3
a
: duration and intensity of speech sounds as distinct from their individual quality or phonemic character
specifically
: the relative length or brevity of a prosodic syllable in some languages (such as Greek and Latin)
b
: the relative duration or time length of a speech sound or sound sequence
4
: the character of a logical proposition as being universal, particular, or singular
Examples of quantity in a Sentence
The wine is made in small quantities.
The boss is worried about quantity as well as quality.
The family buys food in quantity.
Recent Examples on the Web
The types of pollen and the quantities of pollen grains found at a site help researchers reconstruct ancient forests, track sea-level changes and identify the fingerprints of significant events, such as asteroid impacts or civilizations collapsing.
—Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Madlock said there isn’t the quantity of offerings found in Cabo, but that there are plenty of solid bars and restaurants in La Paz.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Baking soda solution: Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda with one cup of cold water in a large bowl (increase as needed based on the quantity of blueberries).
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
The cocktail — which is consumed in great quantities every third weekend of May — is equal parts bourbon, vodka and peach schnapps.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quantity
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Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Madlock said there isn’t the quantity of offerings found in Cabo, but that there are plenty of solid bars and restaurants in La Paz.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Baking soda solution: Mix 1/2 teaspoon baking soda with one cup of cold water in a large bowl (increase as needed based on the quantity of blueberries).
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 18 May 2025
The cocktail — which is consumed in great quantities every third weekend of May — is equal parts bourbon, vodka and peach schnapps.
—Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for quantity
Cite this Entry
“Quantity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quantity. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
quantity
noun
quan·ti·ty
ˈkwän(t)-ət-ē
plural quantities
1
a
: an amount or number that is not fixed
b
: a great amount or number
buys food in quantity
2
a
: the character of something that makes it possible to measure or number it
b
: something on which a mathematical operation can be performed
multiply the quantity x by y
Etymology
Middle English quantite "amount," from early French quantité (same meaning), derived from Latin quantus "how much?, how large?"
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