1. relating to order in a series; indicating position or rank
Usage: mathematics; grammar

1. a number that indicates position in a series (such as first, second, third)
Usage: mathematics; grammar

Examples

• First, second, and third are ordinal numbers.
• The ordinal position of the runner determined the medal color.
• In the sequence, ‘fifth’ is an ordinal indicating rank.
• Ordinal data shows the relative order of items.
• The ordinal ‘tenth’ tells us the position in line.
• Teachers use ordinals to describe student rankings.
• The ordinal system helps organize competition results.