significant digit

noun

: any of the digits of a number beginning with the digit farthest to the left that is not zero and ending with the last digit farthest to the right that is either not zero or that is a zero but is considered to be exact

called also significant figure

Examples of significant digit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

How many significant digits of these numbers can be trusted? —Quanta Magazine, 26 Oct. 2016

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

significant digit

noun

: any of the digits of a number beginning with the first digit on the left that is not zero and ending with the last on the right that is either not zero or that is a zero but is considered to be exact

called also significant figure