Digits
'dɪdʒɪts
Definitions
2 meaningsA single numeral, a symbol representing a number.
'dɪdʒɪt
A single symbol used to represent a number.
The phone number has seven digits.
💡 Simply: Think of a phone number. Each of the single numbers in the phone number is a digit. Like, 1, 2, 3, 4 are digits in the number 1234.
👶 For kids: A digit is a single number, like 1, 2, or 3. When you count on your fingers, each finger is like a digit.
More Examples
The password must contain at least one digit.
The decimal number system uses ten digits (0-9).
How It's Used
"The number 123 has three digits: 1, 2, and 3."
"A binary digit, or bit, is the fundamental unit of information in computers."
A finger or toe; the terminal member of a limb.
'dɪdʒɪt
A finger or toe.
The doctor examined the patient's injured digits.
💡 Simply: A digit is a finger or a toe. Think about wriggling your digits!
👶 For kids: A digit is a finger or a toe! You use them to grab things and walk!
More Examples
The pianist's dexterity relied on the use of their digits.
The foot has five digits.
How It's Used
"The patient had broken a digit."
"Damage to a digit can impair fine motor skills."
From Latin *digitus*, meaning 'finger' or 'toe'. The concept expanded to represent numerical values from the practice of counting on fingers.
Originally referred only to fingers and toes; numerical use evolved over time.
Memory tip
Think of your fingers as digits, each representing a unit. A number is made up of these units.
Word Origin
"finger, toe"