1
a
: being next after the second in place or time
the third taxi in line
b
: ranking next after the second of a grade or degree in authority or precedence
served as third mate
c
: being the forward speed or gear next higher than second especially in a motor vehicle
2
a
: being one of three equal parts into which something is divisible
a third share of the money
b
: being the last in each group of three in a series
take out every third card
third
adverb
or thirdly
1
a
: one that is number three in a series see Table of Numbers
b
: one that is next after second in rank, position, authority, or precedence
the third in line
2
: one of three equal parts of something
a third of the pie
3
4
: the third forward gear or speed especially of a motor vehicle
5
a
: the musical interval embracing three diatonic degrees
b
: a tone at this interval
specifically
: mediant
c
: the harmonic combination of two tones a third apart
6
thirds plural
: merchandise whose quality falls below the manufacturer's standard for seconds
Examples of third in a Sentence
Adjective
We sat in the third row.
the third house on the left
C is the third letter in the alphabet.
That's the third time I've seen him today.
The office is on the third floor.
Do you have a third choice?
a third share in the profits
a third pound of cheese
Noun
The win was his third of the year.
a third of the pie
Rent costs two-thirds of my paycheck.
She divided the cookie into thirds.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Local and state officials were on hand recently to mark a milestone — the completion of the third and final phase of construction at Pathways at Chalmers Courts, a mixed-income community in East Austin.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 19 Nov. 2024
More than a third of Texas’ counties lack access to a licensed clinical social worker.
—Stephen Simpson, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for third 
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Adjective
The mix had gotten somewhat clearer by the third song, which is right around the time the feedback issues started.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 22 Nov. 2024
Local and state officials were on hand recently to mark a milestone — the completion of the third and final phase of construction at Pathways at Chalmers Courts, a mixed-income community in East Austin.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
The Clippers will resume their heavy schedule Wednesday night against the Orlando Magic at Intuit Dome, their third of four home games this week and 10th in the past 17 days.
—Janis Carr, Orange County Register, 19 Nov. 2024
More than a third of Texas’ counties lack access to a licensed clinical social worker.
—Stephen Simpson, Austin American-Statesman, 15 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for third
Articles Related to third
Dictionary Entries Near third
Cite this Entry
“Third.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
third
2 of 2 noun1
a
: one that is number three in a series see number
b
: one next after a second in time, order, or importance
the third in line
2
: one of three equal parts of something
a third of the pie
3
: the difference in pitch between the first tone and the third tone of a scale
4
: the third forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
5
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