third

adjective \ ˈthərd \

|Updated on: 20 Jun 2018

Examples: third in a Sentence

Definition of third

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

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third

or thirdly adverb

See third defined for English-language learners

See third defined for kids

Examples of third in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of third from the Web

This is personal for me, as my grandson, a 9-year-old third-grader, just became the first in the family to sit for one of those long, controversial exams.

— jay mathews, Washington Post, "Testing theories about standardized exams and opting out — and opting in," 27 May 2018
One such rare occasion came in January 2013 where the Potters won 4-1 against Palace in a FA Cup third round replay.

— SI.com, "Stoke City vs Crystal Palace Preview: Classic Encounter, Key Battle, Team News, Prediction & More," 4 May 2018
Receiver Tre'Quan Smith, the team's third-round pick figures to be part of a deep rotation that is already three deep with Michael Thomas, Ted Ginn Jr. and Cameron Meredith.

— jeff duncan, NOLA.com, "Saints' draft class is about depth, development and Marcus Davenport," 28 Apr. 2018
The chance to draft a quarterback can make GMs do impulsive things — Exhibit A is Pace trading two third-round picks and a fourth-rounder to the 49ers last year to move up one spot to draft Mitch Trubisky.

— david haugh, chicagotribune.com, "If Browns take Baker Mayfield at No. 1, Bears could find themselves in ideal spot at No. 8," 26 Apr. 2018
Their allotment includes two third-round picks and three fifth-round selections.

— paul dehner jr., Cincinnati.com, "2018 NFL Draft: Full Cincinnati Bengals seven-round mock draft. OL, DL help, local flare.," 25 Apr. 2018
USA TODAY Sports For all of the attention paid to marquee quarterbacks and running backs in last year's NFL draft, the offensive rookie of the year race came down to two third-round picks.

— michael middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "NFL draft 2018 sleepers: Richmond QB Kyle Lauletta among prospects who could provide value," 17 Apr. 2018
Yesterday Facebook outlined a more detailed plan to fight election interference in the 2018 midterms.[Kurt Wagner / Recode] Snap is undergoing its third round of layoffs this year, cutting around 100 more people, most of them in sales.

— recode staff, Recode, "Recode Daily: Amazon stock rebounds — as it always does — after Trump’s early morning tweet attack," 30 Mar. 2018
An explosive receiver and punt returner, Callaway is viewed as a first-round talent and a second- or third-round pick in April.

— edgar thompson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Former Gators Antonio Callaway, Matt Elam make case for second chance at UF's Pro Day," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'third.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of third

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

third

noun

Definition of third

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 : third base

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

See third defined for English-language learners

Examples of third in a Sentence

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 of third from the Web

While Manning evaluated those policies and asked the inspector general to do the same, the Office of Federal Student Aid reduced the number of contractors staffing the unit by more than two-thirds.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Trump administration undermined student debt relief unit while claims mounted, watchdog finds," 15 June 2018
Wochit COLUMBUS - Two-thirds of likely voters want the next Ohio governor to work to ban guns such as the AR-15 assault weapon, an Enquirer / Suffolk University poll found.

— chrissie thompson, Cincinnati.com, "New poll: Ohio should ban AR-15 assault weapons such as those used in school shootings," 14 June 2018
While Manning evaluated those policies and asked the inspector general to do the same, the Office of Federal Student Aid reduced the number of contractors staffing the unit by more than two-thirds.

— danielle douglas-gabriel, Washington Post, "Trump administration undermined student debt relief unit while claims mounted, watchdog finds," 14 June 2018
In Brazil, 35 percent of his touches were in the center third of the field (as opposed to the left or right thirds), up from 28 percent in 2010 and 18 percent in 2006.

— paul carr, SI.com, "Inside the Numbers of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup Past," 12 June 2018
Emily Lipari was second, Jones third and Efraimson came across fourth.

— ken goe, OregonLive.com, "Clayton Murphy wins the 1,500 at the Portland Track Festival with a decisive late move," 10 June 2018
Duterte has placed the southern third of the country under martial law to deal with extremist threats and has threatened in the past to resort to authoritarian rule nationwide to combat lawlessness.

— Fox News, "Duterte threatens to use emergency rule 'to the hilt'," 7 June 2018
Scaloppine di Pollo Serves 2 1 pound capellini, cooked 2 8-ounce chicken breasts, cut into thirdsFlour 6 tablespoons butter, divided ½ cup diced pancetta 1 cup artichoke hearts 1 cup sliced mushrooms 1 tablespoon capers Dredge the chicken in flour.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Food at this Italian restaurant in Old Louisville isn't your nonna's," 5 June 2018
Keith Abramson was first in the 800 and Dillon Richard third in the pole vault.

— david woods, Indianapolis Star, "IHSAA track: Hoosier Crossroads emerges as top league," 4 June 2018

First Known Use of third

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 2

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

THIRD Defined for English Language Learners

third

adjective

Definition of third for English Language Learners

: occupying the number three position in a series
: next to the second in importance or rank
: equal in size, value, amount, etc., to one third of something

third

noun

Definition of third for English Language Learners

: something that is third : the third thing in a series
: one of three equal parts of something
: the third forward gear or speed of a vehicle

THIRD Defined for Kids

third

adjective \ ˈthərd \

Definition of third for Students

: coming right after second

third

noun

Definition of third for Students

1 : number three in a series

2 : one of three equal parts

Learn More about third

See words that rhyme with third Spanish Central: Translation of third Nglish: Translation of third for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of third for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about third

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third

Examples of third in a Sentence

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Origin and Etymology of third

third

Definition of third

Examples of third in a Sentence

Recent Examples of third from the Web

First Known Use of third

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THIRD Defined for English Language Learners

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