the roaring forties Definition

1. The period of time between one's fortieth and fiftieth birthdays

Example: Gill is in her forties.
Form: one's forties
2a. The range of temperatures between forty and fifty degrees;

Example: It must be in the forties today
Form: the forties
2b. The period of time between the fortieth and fiftieth years of a century.

Example: died in the 40s
Form: the forties


Example: forties music

The area of stormy west winds south of latitude 40°S, or north of latitude 40°N in the Atlantic.