forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five ˌfȯr-tē-ˈfīv 

1

: a number that is five more than 40 see Table of Numbers

2

: a .45 caliber handgun

—usually written .45

3

: a phonograph record designed to be played at 45 revolutions per minute

—usually written 45

forty-five adjective

forty-five pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of forty-five in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In mid-July, the U.K. hosted forty-five European leaders, including Volodymyr Zelensky, of Ukraine, at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, where eight hundred scones were served to the guests for tea. —Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025

This would be Tuckahoe, New York, 35 minutes from Grand Central Terminal and my home town for the past forty-five years. —John Mariani, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

For forty-five years, Tehran’s Shiite theocracy has heralded its political system as a model for all predominantly Muslim countries—and even beyond. —Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 19 Dec. 2024

One hundred forty-five scores were eligible in the category. —Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forty-five

noun

for·​ty-five

ˌfȯrt-ē-ˈfīv

: a .45 caliber pistol

—usually written .45