three

noun \ ˈthrē \

Updated on: 26 Apr 2018

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

The Heat, meanwhile, led by Winslow's four first-half threes was 10 of 16 from beyond the arc and took a 64-63 lead into the intermission.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Embiid, three-point touch return for Sixers as Philly pulls away from Heat in Game 3 | Miami Herald," 19 Apr. 2018
Now and then, in twos and threes, partygoers slipped in and out of a side door leading to a carport that emitted drifting whiffs of smoke.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Herbal Notes is planting the seeds of culinary cannabis in Chicago," 18 Apr. 2018
Green went scoreless on seven shots, with no defenders within four feet of him on some open corner threes.

— bill livingston, cleveland.com, "Cavs-Pacers 2018: LeBron James' slow start can't be repeated -- Bill Livingston (photos)," 17 Apr. 2018
So, no, there likely won't be another game in this series that sees the Pacers make more threes (11 for 27) than the Cavaliers (8-for-34).

— tim bontemps, chicagotribune.com, "How 7 teams can even their NBA playoff series (sorry, Spurs)," 16 Apr. 2018
Seven different players knocked down threes and the Wildcats set a 3-point record with 18 triples.

— peter martinez, CBS News, "NCAA championship game: Villanova-Michigan -- live updates," 2 Apr. 2018
The only other skier to leave Alyeska with a pair of top-three finishes was girls overall winner Georgie Sullivan of California's Sugar Bowl Academy, who won the girls slalom and was third in the GS.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Another Alaska skier makes the podium at U16 regional alpine championships," 26 Mar. 2018
The guard trio of Bibbins, Barefield and Gabe Bealer combined to hit 10-of-18 threes.

— ron higgins, NOLA.com, "Utah buries LSU basketball season with an avalanche of 3's," 19 Mar. 2018
Roach and Matt Coleman were sniping threes from deep.

— nick moyle, Houston Chronicle, "UT knocked out of NCAA Tournament by Nevada," 16 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year