eleven

noun

elev·​en i-ˈle-vən How to pronounce eleven (audio)
1
: a number that is one more than 10 see Table of Numbers
2
: the 11th in a set or series
3
: something having 11 units or members
especially : a football team
eleven adjective
eleven pronoun, plural in construction
eleventh adjective or noun

Examples of eleven in a Sentence

I got home last night at eleven.
Recent Examples on the Web Both teams are still suffering from their fair share of injuries, meaning there’ll be some changes put in place from the teams’ normal starting elevens. SI.com, 28 Oct. 2019 Patrick Mahomes fumbled on what would have a been a third and eleven converting run, but the ball went out of bounds one yard shy of the first down marker. Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2020 Through the show’s broadcast, viewers at home saw their favorite musicians dressed to the nines, tens, and elevens (some peacocking in meme-making looks). Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2020 Poland entered the game as favourites due to their eighth-place position in the current FIFA rankings but there was little to choose between the two starting elevens. SI.com, 19 June 2018 His early struggles at Anfield and his time out of the starting eleven appears to have benefited the English midfielder. SI.com, 9 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'eleven.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enleven, from enleven, adjective, from Old English endleofan, from end- (alteration of ān one) + -leofan; akin to Old English lēon to lend — more at one, loan

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of eleven was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near eleven

Cite this Entry

“Eleven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eleven. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

eleven

noun
elev·​en i-ˈlev-ən How to pronounce eleven (audio)
1
: a number that is one more than 10 see number
2
: the eleventh in a set or series
3
: something having 11 units or members
eleven adjective or pronoun
eleventh noun
eleventh adjective or adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on eleven

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