n

1 of 5

noun

ˈen How to pronounce n (audio)
plural n's or ns ˈenz How to pronounce n (audio)
often capitalized, often attributive
1
a
: the 14th letter of the English alphabet
b
: a graphic representation of this letter
c
: a speech counterpart of orthographic n
2
: a graphic device for reproducing the letter n
3
a
: one designated n especially as the 14th in order or class
b
: an indefinite number
especially : a constant integer (see integer sense 1) or a variable taking on integral values
4
: something shaped like the letter N
5
: the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes
6
: en sense 1

n

2 of 5

abbreviation (1)

1
name
2
nano-
3
navy
4
net
5
neuter
6
neutron
7
noon
8
normal
9
north; northern
10
note
11
noun
12
number

N

3 of 5

abbreviation (2)

1
naira; nairas
2
newton

N

4 of 5

symbol

nitrogen

-n

5 of 5

adjective suffix

see -en entry 1

Example Sentences

Noun a word that starts with an n a word that starts with n

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1750, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of n was in 1750

Phrases Containing n

Dictionary Entries Near n

Mzuzu

n

N

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“N.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/n. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

n

1 of 2 noun
ˈen
often capitalized
1
: the 14th letter of the English alphabet
2
: an unspecified quantity
the numbers from 1 to n

-n

2 of 2
see -en entry 1

Medical Definition

n

1 of 3 noun
ˈen How to pronounce n (audio)
plural n's or ns ˈenz How to pronounce n (audio)
1
: the haploid or gametic number of chromosomes compare x
2
capitalized : an antigen of human blood that shares a common genetic locus with the M antigen

N

2 of 3 abbreviation
1
nasal
2
newton
3
usually ital normal (sense 4a)
—used of solutions
0.1 N hydrochloric acid

N

3 of 3 symbol
1
nitrogen
—usually italicized when used as a prefix
N-allylnormorphine
2
index of refraction

More from Merriam-Webster on n

Nglish: Translation of n for Spanish Speakers

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