numerator

UK: /ˈnjuːməˌreɪtə/

US: /ˈnuməˌreɪtɚ, ˈnju-/

US: (no̅o̅′mə rā′tər, nyo̅o̅′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

nu•mer•a•tor /ˈnuməˌreɪtɚ, ˈnyu-/   n. [countable]

1. Mathematics the term of a fraction, usually written above or before the line, that indicates the number of equal parts that are to be added together:
   In the number three-fifths, three is the numerator.
   Compare denominator.

See -num-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

nu•mer•a•tor  (no̅o̅′mə rā′tər, nyo̅o̅′-), n. 

1. Mathematics [Arith.] the term of a fraction, usually above the line, that indicates the number of equal parts that are to be added together;
   the dividend placed over a divisor:
   The numerator of the fraction
   ²⁄₃ is 2. Cf. denominator (def. 1).
2. Mathematics a person or thing that numbers.

• Late Latin numerātor a counter, numberer, equivalent. to Latin numerā(re) to number + -tor -tor
• 1535–45

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

numerator / ˈnjuːməˌreɪtə/ noun

1. the dividend of a fraction: the numerator of is 7
   Compare denominator
2. a person or thing that numbers; enumerator