third
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
How often you will meet it
Rank 848 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 21,571 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.010% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- one of three equal parts of a divisible whole also: one-third, tierce it contains approximately a third of the minimum daily requirement
- the fielding position of the player on a baseball team who is stationed near the third of the bases in the infield (counting counterclockwise from home plate) also: third base he is playing third
- following the second position in an ordering or series a distant thirdhe answered the first question willingly, the second reluctantly, and the third with resentment
- the musical interval between one note and another three notes away from it a simple harmony written in major thirds
- the third from the lowest forward ratio gear in the gear box of a motor vehicle also: third gear you shouldn't try to start in third gear
- the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball also: third base he was cut down on a close play at third
adjective
- coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position also: 3rd, tertiary
adverb
- in the third place also: thirdly third we must consider unemployment
third in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He was said to own a third interest in a stock-broker’s office.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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Your silkworm used to fast every third day, and the next following spins the better.
The White Devil · John Webster · Chapter 1
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Mux was just repeating a question for the third time, but his mother did not hear him.
Cornelli · Johanna Spyri · Chapter 1
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The next, gentleman gave him the German word 'verloren' and said it was the third in a sentence of four words.
Following the Equator — Part 1 · Mark Twain · Chapter 1
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My head was certainly stronger than my Cousin's; he went as far as the third bottle--the next drop was on the floor!
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 · Robert Seymour · Chapter 1