2number verb
numbers; numbered; number·ing 1 [+ obj] : to give a number to (someone or something in a series) : to label or identify (people or things in a series) with a number
▪ She numbers and arranges the photographs according to when they were taken. ▪ For the quiz, take out a sheet of paper and number it from one to ten. [=write the numbers one through ten down the side of the paper] ▪ Each print is signed and numbered by the artist. ▪ The team's coach bought all the players numbered jerseys. 2 — used to indicate a total amount [linking verb] ▪ The population now numbers about 400,000. [=the population is now about 400,000] ▪ In that year, European settlers in the area numbered nearly 15,000. ▪ Though his years number only 45 [=though he is only 45 years old], he looks like an old man. [no obj] ▪ The animal, which once numbered in the millions, is now extinct. 3 somewhat formal : to include (someone or something) as part of a larger group — + among or with [+ obj] ▪ She numbers among her friends three Nobel Prize winners. = She numbers three Nobel Prize winners among her friends. [=three of her friends are Nobel Prize winners] ▪ He numbers her with the other great poets of the time. — usually used as (be) numbered ▪ John Keats is numbered [=ranked] among the greatest English poets. ▪ I am proud to be numbered among those who have served our country. [no obj] ▪ She numbers among the best. [=she is one of the best]
▪ She numbers and arranges the photographs according to when they were taken. ▪ For the quiz, take out a sheet of paper and number it from one to ten. [=write the numbers one through ten down the side of the paper] ▪ Each print is signed and numbered by the artist. ▪ The team's coach bought all the players numbered jerseys.
days are numbered
— used to say that someone or something will die, fail, or end soon. ▪ The doctors have told me that my days are numbered. [=I will die soon]. ▪ He knew that his days as the team's coach were numbered. [=that he was going to be fired from his job as the team's coach soon] ▪ The days of large gas-guzzling cars are numbered. [=people will not be making/buying large gas-guzzling cars for much longer]
