An ordinal number is a type of number that indicates the position or order of an item in a sequence. For example, in a race, the first runner to cross the finish line is in 1st place, the second runner is in 2nd place, and so on. Ordinal numbers help us understand rankings, such as in competitions or lists. Ordinal numbers are typically written as words (first, second, third) or as numerals with suffixes (1st, 2nd, 3rd). They are different from cardinal numbers, which represent quantity, like one, two, or three. Understanding ordinal numbers is essential for organizing information and conveying order.