quarter

[ˈkwɔːtə(r)]

quarter Definition

  • 1one of four equal or almost equal parts of something; 25 percent of a whole
  • 2a period of three months, especially in connection with bills, payments, and academic terms
  • 3a unit of weight equal to a quarter of a hundredweight (28 pounds or 12.7 kilograms)

Using quarter: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "quarter" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    I ate a quarter of the pizza.

  • Example

    The company's profits fell by a quarter last year.

  • Example

    The school year is divided into four quarters.

  • Example

    The bill is due at the end of the quarter.

  • Example

    The horse weighs over a quarter of a ton.

  • Example

    The town is located about a quarter of a mile from here.

quarter Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for quarter

Antonyms for quarter

Phrases with quarter

  • 15 minutes after the hour

    Example

    It's already a quarter past six. We should leave soon.

  • 15 minutes before the hour

    Example

    It's a quarter to nine. We still have some time before the meeting starts.

  • quarter pounder

    a type of hamburger that weighs approximately a quarter of a pound (113 grams)

    Example

    I'll have a quarter pounder with cheese, please.

Origins of quarter

from Middle English 'quart', from Old French 'quarte', from Latin 'quarta pars', meaning 'fourth part'

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Summary: quarter in Brief

The term 'quarter' [ˈkwɔːtə(r)] refers to a fourth part of something, a period of three months, or a unit of weight. It can be used to describe fractions of a whole, as in 'I ate a quarter of the pizza,' or academic terms, as in 'The school year is divided into four quarters.' 'Quarter' also has temporal meanings, such as 'quarter past' and 'quarter to.'

How do native speakers use this expression?