Noun

1. Any of a range of European abbreviations for food additives used on labels.

   The E number E100 represents turmeric.

2. Any such additive, often regarded as undesirable.
   • 2003, Deirdre Brennan, Maighread Medbh, Nuala Ni Chonchuir, Divas!

     I finger Padre Pio paperweights and Our Lady of Knock sticks of rock that are packed with more e-numbers than could be safe at one sitting.

   • 2007, Anne Enright, The Gathering

     ...how long it took corpses to go off these days, because everyone was so full of E-numbers and preservatives.