# digit

/ˈdɪdʒət/ (US) · /dˈɪdʒɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/digit
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a number

noun · CEFR B1

any of the numbers from 0 to 9.

For teachers: a discrete symbol representing a natural number in a positional number system.

- The price of the car was five digits long, starting with a two.
- The security protocol requires a six-digit passcode that must be updated every thirty days to maintain system integrity.

Usage: Usually refers to the individual symbols rather than the total value.

### 2. finger or toe

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a finger or a toe on a person or animal.

For teachers: a terminal extremity of the human hand or foot, or a homologous structure in other animals.

- The doctor checked each digit on the baby's hands to make sure they were healthy.
- The fossil clearly shows the structure of the creature's digits, suggesting it was well-adapted for grasping branches in a forest environment.

Usage: Common in medical, biological, or formal contexts; 'finger' or 'toe' is preferred in daily speech.

### 3. historical unit of length

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

an old way to measure length based on the width of a finger.

For teachers: a historical unit of linear measure based on the breadth of a human finger, approximately 1.9 centimetres.

- In ancient times, a digit was a common unit used to measure small objects.
- The architect explained that the proportions of the temple were originally calculated using the digit as the primary unit of measurement.

## Examples

- The code for the door has four digits.
- The bank requires a six-digit PIN to access your account through the mobile app.
- While the patient suffered minor bruising to the hand, all five digits remained fully functional with no signs of nerve damage or bone fractures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.