third-class

1 of 2

adjective

: of or relating to a class, rank, or grade next below the second
third-class adverb

third class

2 of 2

noun

1
: the third and usually next below second class in a classification
2
: the least expensive class of accommodations (as on a passenger ship)
3
: a former class of U.S. mail comprising circulars, pamphlets, catalogs, and newsletters

Examples of third-class in a Sentence

Noun She got a third class in English.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The survivors of the Titanic were largely divided by class: Only 174 of the 700 third-class passengers survived, said Encyclopedia Britannica. Christine Rousselle, Fox News, 1 Sep. 2023 In 1948, a British third-class passenger, Walter J. Adamson, passed away in the room, under circumstances that have been lost to time. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2023 In June 2022, the council voted 6-1 against legislation that would have moved Westfield from a third-class city to a second-class city, like its counterparts around Hamilton County. The Indianapolis Star, 5 July 2023 In the cabins were 230 women and children, but it is not known how many there were among the 740 third-class passengers. Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2023 The majority of the people killed were members of the crew and third-class passengers. Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 20 June 2023 The majority of the people killed were members of the crew and third-class passengers – with 710 deaths in the third class and 700 deaths among the crew. Francisco Guzman, USA TODAY, 17 May 2023 First, second, and third-class trophies and ribbons will be awarded, while first-in-class winners will compete for the Willie K. Vanderbilt Trophy. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2023
Noun
Third Class of Drugs May Spur More Novel Switches The U.S. doesn’t have a formal third class of medicines. Joshua Cohen, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 The Board of Directors also approved adding a third class to girls tennis, meaning there will be a third state tournament. Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2024 Still feeling the itch to sign up for that third class—and chill about everything else? Christa Sgobba, SELF, 5 Jan. 2024 There was a lot of feeling that Irish citizens in the U.K. were third class citizens. Matt Thompson, SPIN, 15 Dec. 2023 The third class was the most important, Zelia argued, because of the quality of the molding and carving. Merilee Grindle, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023 Inducted with the College Football Hall of Fame’s third class in the 1956, Whitmire reached the rank of rear admiral in the Navy. 51. Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 10 Mar. 2023 This year marks the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame's third class of inductions, and starting Saturday, the stars will finally strut their stuff as the physical walk site comes to life. Joshua Medintz, The Enquirer, 18 July 2023 As a third class city, Westfield continues to have a seven-member council with five district councilors and two at-large representatives. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 28 June 2022

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

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of third-class was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near third-class

thirdborough

third-class

third class

Cite this Entry

“Third-class.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third-class. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

third class

noun
: the class next below second class in a classification
third-class adjective
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