# numbering

Pronunciation: say "NUM-bur-ing" US /ˈnʌmbɚɪŋ/, UK /ˈnʌmbəɹɪŋ/

## Noun

1. A sequence of numbers that shows the order of items or identifies them.
   - Simple: A set of numbers given to things so you can tell them apart or put them in order.
   - _The numbering on the spare parts let the mechanic match each one to its slot._
   - _A clear numbering across the file labels made the records easy to search._
2. The act of creating or assigning a sequence of numbers to identify things.
   - Simple: The work of giving numbers to things so each one can be found or named.
   - _The numbering of the museum's new acquisitions took the staff several weeks._
   - _Automatic numbering of the support tickets keeps every request traceable._
3. The act of counting or putting items in order using numbers.
   - Simple: The act of counting things or putting them in order with numbers.
   - _The slow numbering of the crowd at the gate held up the line for hours._
   - _The numbering of the herd each spring let the rancher track the new calves._

## Verb

4. Present participle of number. — present participle and gerund of number
   - Simple: Present participle of number. Use this form when the action is happening right now.
   - _The volunteers are numbering the ballots before the count begins._
   - _Numbering the chapters carefully made the manuscript easier to navigate._

## Origin

From Middle English nombrynge, equivalent to number plus the suffix -ing.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/numbering (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).