sixth

noun

ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio) ˈsiks(t) How to pronounce sixth (audio)
plural sixths
ˈsiks(ts), 
ˈsiks(t)ths How to pronounce sixth (audio)
1
: one that is number six in a series
We'll be arriving on the sixth.
Her office is the sixth on the left.
see Table of Numbers
2
: one of six equal parts of something
one sixth of the total
3
a
: a musical interval embracing six diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically : submediant
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a sixth apart
sixth adjective or adverb
the book's sixth chapter
the state's sixth largest city
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb
Sixthly, don't let your screaming tenor soar an octave above all the balance of the chorus … —Mark Twain

Examples of sixth in a Sentence

Only about a sixth of the town voted for her.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Gasper, who entered Tuesday with five home runs in 239 career at bats, scored Boston’s only runs before extra innings with solo shots against Tyler Phillips in the second and Tyler Zuber in the sixth. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 Magno's assist was his third this season and Fernández notched his sixth. — CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026 Magno’s assist was his third this season and Fernández notched his sixth. — ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026 With five unanswered runs, Arizona had all the momentum, until Wilyer Abreu and Contreras came up with back-to-back one-out singles against Pfaadt in the sixth. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sixth

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sixth was in the 12th century

Phrases Containing sixth

Browse Nearby Words

sixteenth rest
sixth
sixth chord
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sixth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sixth. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sixth

noun
ˈsiks(t)th How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsiks(t)
plural sixths
1
: one that is number six in a series see number
2
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the sixth tone of a scale
sixth adjective or adverb
sixthly
ˈsiksth-lē How to pronounce sixth (audio)
ˈsikst-
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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