three

noun \ ˈthrē \

Definition of three

1 :a number that is one more than 2 — see Table of Numbers

2 :the third in a set or series

the three of hearts

3 a :something having three units or members

b :three-pointer

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three

adjective

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three

pronoun, plural in construction

See three defined for English-language learners

See three defined for kids

Examples of three in a Sentence

“What time is it?” “It's three.”
I leave each day at three.

Recent Examples of three from the Web

Cast members who aren’t onstage are sitting in the chairs in clusters of threes and fours, reading copies of the score, either following along or studying their own part.

— ellise pierce, star-telegram, "Santa Fe Opera boots up a world premiere about the complicated life of Steve Jobs," 14 July 2017
Since even good things come in threes (right?), another PYOB spot has plans to open soon: Navigator Taproom, which hopes to crack open its doors by mid-July, co-founder Tim Enarson said.

— adam lukach, chicagotribune.com, "Restaurant openings: Navigator Taproom brings 'PYOB' to Logan Square, plus more poke downtown," 8 July 2017
Mitchell has been dazzling fans with both his basketball smarts and startling athleticism while averaging 19 points, 4.5 assists, 3 steals, 2 rebounds and 2 turnovers while shooting 50-percent on threes.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "Donovan Mitchell is destroying the NBA Summer League," 7 July 2017
Think about Popovich in San Antonio, a man who once dismissed threes the same way Phil Jackson did.

— andrew sharp, SI.com, "Phil Jackson's Refusal To Evolve Forced The Knicks' Hand," 29 June 2017
Total: $4,500 Age 3 to 4 Nursery School and Pre-Kindergarten Nursery Threes and Pre-Kindergarten at Horace Mann School in New York City, $33,600 and $46,800 per year.

— the editors, Town & Country, "How Much It Really Costs to Send Your Kid to an Elite College," 28 June 2017
Total: $4,500 Age 3 to 4 Nursery School and Pre-Kindergarten Nursery Threes and Pre-Kindergarten at Horace Mann School in New York City, $33,600 and $46,800 per year.

— the editors, Town & Country, "How Much It Really Costs to Send Your Kid to an Elite College," 28 June 2017
Had nine top-three finishes during the regular season, was second at regionals and tied for 12th individually at state.

— rob reischel, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "All-area boys golf: Budzien, Ott claim top honors," 26 June 2017
A numbing number of hook shots and almost no threes.

— nancy armour, USA TODAY, "Lakers-Celtics rivalry does not age well in documentary," 22 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of three

Middle English, from three, adjective, from Old English thrīe (masculine), thrēo (feminine & neuter); akin to Old High German drī three, Latin tres, Greek treis

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year