counting number

noun

, Mathematics.

1. whole number ( def 1 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of counting number¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

But zero was not a counting number in the same way; understanding its value required a further level of abstraction.

From Literature

One is the first counting number, two is the second counting number, and three is the third.

From Literature

The first few weeks, they have to teach counting, number recognition, letter names, and letter sounds.

From Slate

Mathematicians call sets of this size “countable,” because you can assign one counting number to each element in each set.

From Scientific American