Origin: Latin suffix -al
Decimal has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
a proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10
"The decimal three-tenths represents the proper fraction where the denominator is ten, a power of 10."
a number in the decimal system
"The engineer converted the fraction into a decimal to make the calculation easier."
A number expressed in the base-ten system, (particularly) a fractional numeral written in this system.
"The price was listed as 49.95 decimal points to indicate ninety-five cents."
In plain English: A decimal is a number that uses a dot to separate whole amounts from parts of those numbers, like showing you have half an apple instead of just saying zero or one.
"The teacher explained that each digit in our decimal is worth ten times less than the one to its left."
Usage: Use "decimal" as a noun specifically for whole numbers that include digits following the base-ten separator, such as 3.14. This term is distinct from fractions like one-half and applies only when values are written using this specific numerical system.
to represent with numbers after a decimal point
"Please calculate the cost and round it up to two decimal places before making your payment."
In plain English: To decimal something means to convert it into a number that uses a dot instead of a comma to separate whole numbers from parts.
"The calculator decimalized the large number into an easy-to-read format."
Concerning numbers expressed in decimal or mathematical calculations performed using decimal.
"The engineer calculated the precise load by rounding every measurement to three decimal places before adding them together."
In plain English: Decimal means something is written using numbers with points to show parts of a whole, like money amounts such as $5.99.
"The price was listed with two decimal places on the receipt."
The word comes from the Late Latin decimalis, which was derived from the Latin phrase for "of ten." It entered English to describe a system of numbers based on groups of ten.