Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Being or denoting a numerical order in a series: Used to describe numbers that indicate position or rank in a sequence (e.g., first, second, third).
   • Of or relating to a taxonomic order: In biology, pertaining to the rank of 'order' in the scientific classification of organisms.

2. Noun:

   • The number designating place in an ordered sequence: A word or symbol (like 1st, 2nd, 3rd) that shows the position of an item in a list.
   • A book containing rites for ordination: In a religious context, a book with the forms for making someone a priest, minister, etc.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • "First," "second," and "third" are ordinal numbers.
  • The biologist studied the ordinal characteristics that define the primate family.

• Noun:

  • In the list, "fifth" is an ordinal.
  • The bishop consulted the ordinal during the ceremony.

Advanced Usage

• "Ordinal scale": In statistics, a measurement scale where data is categorized and ranked in a specific order, but the differences between ranks are not necessarily equal.

  • Satisfaction ratings (e.g., "very unsatisfied" to "very satisfied") are measured on an ordinal scale.

• "Ordinal data": Data that can be ordered or ranked.

  • Finishing positions in a race (1st, 2nd, 3rd) are examples of ordinal data.

Variants and Related Words

• Ordinality (n): The property of being in a particular order or sequence.

  • Children learn the concept of ordinality when they understand "first" and "last."

• Ordinally (adv): In a way that relates to order or rank.

  • The data can be ordinally ranked from lowest to highest.

Synonyms

• Positional: Relating to or determined by position.
• Ranking: Indicating relative position or order.

Related Phrases

• Ordinal number: The specific term for a number defining position (e.g., first, tenth).

  • Please write the ordinal number next to each item on the list.

• Ordinal rank: A position in an ordered list.

  • She achieved an ordinal rank of third in the national competition.

Adjective

1. being or denoting a numerical order in a series
   • ordinal numbers
   • held an ordinal rank of seventh
2. of or relating to a taxonomic order
   • family and ordinal names of animals and plants

Noun

1. the number designating place in an ordered sequence