Third meaning

What does “third” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“third” is a noun, adjective and adverb with 8 meanings. Its most common meaning is: one of three equal parts of a divisible whole.

third

noun

  1. one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

    “it contains approximately a third of the minimum daily requirement”

  2. 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)

    “he is playing third”

    Synonymsthird base
  3. following the second position in an ordering or series

    “a distant third”

    “he answered the first question willingly, the second reluctantly, and the third with resentment”

  4. the musical interval between one note and another three notes away from it

    “a simple harmony written in major thirds”

  5. the third from the lowest forward ratio gear in the gear box of a motor vehicle

    “you shouldn't try to start in third gear”

    Synonymsthird gear
  6. the base that must be touched third by a base runner in baseball

    “he was cut down on a close play at third”

    Synonymsthird base

adjective

  1. coming next after the second and just before the fourth in position

    Synonyms3rdtertiary

adverb

  1. in the third place

    “third we must consider unemployment”

    Synonymsthirdly

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University