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
Robert singled, stole second, advanced to third on an error and scored on a single by Colson Montgomery, extending the Sox lead to 5-1 in the fourth.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
After hitting Jonathan India with a pitch to start the game, Junk settled in and retired nine straight before Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to center with one out in the fourth.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Although Orlando was able to regain its lead in the third quarter and was ahead by 2 entering the fourth.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Queta, who projects as the top option at this early stage, made 62 appearances and six starts in his first season as a full-time NBA player, but the 26-year-old was a distant fourth on the depth chart behind Porzingis, Horford and Kornet by the end of 2024.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 July 2025
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Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
After hitting Jonathan India with a pitch to start the game, Junk settled in and retired nine straight before Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to center with one out in the fourth.
—Steve Gorten, Miami Herald, 20 July 2025
Although Orlando was able to regain its lead in the third quarter and was ahead by 2 entering the fourth.
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 July 2025
Queta, who projects as the top option at this early stage, made 62 appearances and six starts in his first season as a full-time NBA player, but the 26-year-old was a distant fourth on the depth chart behind Porzingis, Horford and Kornet by the end of 2024.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 13 July 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 25 Jul. 2025.
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