plural fourths
ˈfȯr(th)s 
1
: one that is number four in a series
I was the fourth to arrive.
They arrive on the fourth. [=the fourth day of the month]
see Table of Numbers
2
: one of four equal parts of something : quarter entry 1
Cut the cake into fourths.
a fourth of the population
3
a
: a musical interval (see interval sense 2) embracing four tones of the diatonic scale
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically
: subdominant sense 1
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart
4
: the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
shifted into fourth
5
the Fourth
: July 4 observed as a legal holiday in the U.S. in commemoration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 : Fourth of July
watched fireworks on the Fourth
called also Independence Day
fourth
adjective or adverb
the fourth edition of a book
the fourth tallest mountain
fourthly
adverb
Fourthly, don't sing a whole opera through …
—
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Examples of fourth in a Sentence
cut the cake into fourths
She drank a fourth of the bottle.
Recent Examples on the Web
Once everyone had a turn, the tables were opened for ravenous seconds, thirds and fourths, until no crumbs were left behind.
—Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Batting leadoff, Rajan singled and scored in the first, tripled and scored in the third, and doubled home two runs in the fourth.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
Bam Adebayo played 9:30 in the fourth, did not score in the period, and had just one rebound.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Neither team played most of its main rotation players in the fourth, allowing Doncic to get extra rest amid a stretch of five home games in seven days.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fourth
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.
Simon J. Levien, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Batting leadoff, Rajan singled and scored in the first, tripled and scored in the third, and doubled home two runs in the fourth.
—Martin Henderson, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025
Bam Adebayo played 9:30 in the fourth, did not score in the period, and had just one rebound.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2025
Neither team played most of its main rotation players in the fourth, allowing Doncic to get extra rest amid a stretch of five home games in seven days.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fourth
Cite this Entry
“Fourth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share