third-party

1 of 2

adjective

third-par·​ty ˈthərd-ˈpär-tē 

1

: of, relating to, or involving a third party

third-party insurance

2

: of, relating to, or being software that is created by a vendor to be compatible with the products of another vendor

third party

2 of 2

noun

1

: a person other than the principals

a third party to a divorce proceeding

insurance against injury to third parties

2

a

: a major political party operating over a limited period of time in addition to two other major parties in a nation or state normally characterized by a two-party system

b

: minor party

Examples of third-party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Apple has been developing its own chips since 2010 and is slowly replacing third-party silicon in its devices. —Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026

As banks rely more heavily on partners, platforms, and third-party infrastructure to handle and process customer information, privacy risk has become harder to contain within traditional organizational boundaries. —Pam Kaur, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

Noun

In early January, the city council voted to purchase a new facility in northwest Loveland, contingent on a third party being selected to operate the facility as a homeless shelter. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026

Offer availability, placement, and display are determined by the third party and may be influenced by compensation and other factors. —Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

third party

noun

1

: a person other than the main participants

a third party to the legal proceedings

2

a

: a political party operating usually for a limited time in addition to the two major parties in a 2-party system

b

: minor party

Legal Definition

third party

see party sense 1a, b