Third Meaning
Third Definition & Usage
Referring to the position of something in a sequence, ranking, or list that is number three.
Examples
- "She finished in third place in the race."
- "This is the third book in the series."
- "The third item on the agenda is the budget report."
- "He lives on the third floor of the building."
- "This third attempt was more successful than the previous two."
The third position in a sequence or list.
Examples
- "She took the third in line for the promotion."
- "The third of the month is our meeting day."
- "You were the third to arrive at the party."
- "He is currently in third place in the competition."
- "They celebrated their third anniversary together."
One of three equal parts of a whole.
Examples
- "He ate a third of the pizza."
- "She gave a third of her salary to charity."
- "The recipe calls for a third of a cup of sugar."
- "They split the bill into thirds."
- "A third of the participants did not show up to the event."
Used to describe something that occurs or is positioned after two prior events or items.
Examples
- "This is my third time visiting this city."
- "After the first two failed attempts, the third try worked."
- "She made her third phone call in as many minutes."
- "The third time's a charm, they say."
- "He got third-degree burns after the accident."
Cultural Context
The word 'third' is derived from Old English 'þridda,' which comes from Proto-Germanic *þridjaz. It is one of the most commonly used ordinal numbers in English, and it plays a significant role in not just counting, but also in various cultural contexts, such as competitions, celebrations, and traditions.
The Third Choice
Story
The Third Choice
Maggie had always been a perfectionist. She was determined to succeed, and when she signed up for the city’s annual marathon, she had one goal in mind: to finish first. Training for months, she had pushed herself harder than ever before. But when the race day arrived, something felt off. The heat was oppressive, and her legs were already tired after the first few miles. By the halfway point, Maggie knew she couldn’t keep up with the leaders. She was no longer in the first or second position, but she was determined to secure at least a top-three finish. As she approached the final stretch, her body screamed for rest, but she gritted her teeth and pushed forward, knowing that a third-place finish would still be an accomplishment. With the finish line in sight, Maggie saw another runner pulling ahead. She knew she couldn’t catch up to second place, but the third spot was within reach. As she sprinted with all her remaining strength, her mind flashed to the third time she'd tried for something big — her third attempt at this marathon. In the past, she'd always fallen short, but this time, she was closer than ever. As Maggie crossed the finish line, she was overcome with exhaustion but also a sense of pride. Third place. It wasn’t first, but it was still an incredible achievement. 'I guess third time's a charm,' she thought to herself, smiling through the pain. She had done it. In the end, Maggie learned something important: sometimes, aiming for third can be just as fulfilling as aiming for first. The journey, the effort, and the progress mattered more than the rank itself.
