third-class

1 of 2

adjective

ˈthərd-ˈklas 

: 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

Nikolay Zhukovsky, the third-class controller, was working under the direction of first-class controller Vladimir Sumskoy. — Colin Millar, New York Times, 27 June 2026

Wojdyla said the intended effect of the exhibit is to show the differences in first-, second-, and third-class passenger accommodations. — Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

Noun

The racer from Kentucky was eventually inducted into the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2012, and he was named as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023, according to AP and The Tennessean. — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2026

He was inducted into the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2012. — ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1839, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for third-class

• alas
• amass
• bromegrass
• bypass
• crabgrass
• crevasse
• eelgrass
• eyeglass
• groundmass
• harass
• impasse
• jackass

Kids Definition

third class

noun

: the class next below second class in a classification

third-class adjective