third reading

noun

: the final stage of the consideration of a legislative bill before a vote on its final disposition

Examples of third reading in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To make it to the governor's desk, both the House and Senate would need to hear the bill in committee, consider amendments and seek to approve the bill on third reading. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 8 Dec. 2025 The council on Tuesday advanced the measure from its first to second reading, with a vote expected after the third reading sometime in coming weeks. Idaho Statesman, 4 Dec. 2025 That would likely come at the group’s next meeting on third reading. Austin Hornbostel, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Aug. 2025 Despite months of warnings from faculty and concerns raised by Texas Democrats, the Texas House on Saturday approved the initial passage of Senate Bill 37, advancing the priority higher education legislation to a third reading in its final chamber. Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for third reading

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1571, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of third reading was circa 1571

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Third reading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third%20reading. Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!