third

1 of 2

adjective

1
a
: being next after the second in place or time
the third taxi in line
b
: ranking next after the second of a grade or degree in authority or precedence
served as third mate
c
: being the forward speed or gear next higher than second especially in a motor vehicle
2
a
: being one of three equal parts into which something is divisible
a third share of the money
b
: being the last in each group of three in a series
take out every third card
third adverb
or thirdly

third

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: one that is number three in a series see Table of Numbers
b
: one that is next after second in rank, position, authority, or precedence
the third in line
2
: one of three equal parts of something
a third of the pie
3
4
: the third forward gear or speed especially of a motor vehicle
5
a
: the musical interval embracing three diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically : mediant
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a third apart
6
thirds plural : merchandise whose quality falls below the manufacturer's standard for seconds

Examples of third in a Sentence

Adjective We sat in the third row. the third house on the left C is the third letter in the alphabet. That's the third time I've seen him today. The office is on the third floor. Do you have a third choice? a third share in the profits a third pound of cheese Noun The win was his third of the year. a third of the pie Rent costs two-thirds of my paycheck. She divided the cookie into thirds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Guided hikes at the center's Lake Fayetteville location are the third Saturday of each month. Flip Putthoff, arkansasonline.com, 29 Oct. 2024 The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star and husband Conner have welcomed their third baby, son Billy Gene Leavitt, a rep confirms exclusively to PEOPLE. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
The first prioritizes energy recovery and battery charge, the second ups the power while keeping charge levels at around 70 percent, and the third lets drivers push the car to the max. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2024 Two days later, Foster pinned his team’s 21-17 loss to Minnesota on penalties (a season-high 10 for 105 yards) and turnovers (quarterback Ethan Garbers had three passes intercepted, though one was tipped, a second was on a Hail Mary and a third was on a pass that appeared to hit the ground). Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for third 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'third.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English thridde, thirde, from Old English thridda, thirdda; akin to Latin tertius third, Greek tritos, treis three — more at three

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of third was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near third

Cite this Entry

“Third.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

third

1 of 2 adjective
1
a
: being number three in a series see number
b
: being next after the second in time, order, or importance
the third taxi in line
2
: being one of three equal parts of something
a third share of the money
third adverb
thirdly adverb

third

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: one that is number three in a series see number
b
: one next after a second in time, order, or importance
the third in line
2
: one of three equal parts of something
a third of the pie
3
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the third tone of a scale
4
: the third forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
5

More from Merriam-Webster on third

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