third-party

1 of 2

adjective

third-par·​ty ˈthərd-ˈpär-tē 

1

: of, relating to, or involving a third party

third-party insurance

2

: of, relating to, or being software that is created by a vendor to be compatible with the products of another vendor

third party

2 of 2

noun

1

: a person other than the principals

a third party to a divorce proceeding

insurance against injury to third parties

2

a

: a major political party operating over a limited period of time in addition to two other major parties in a nation or state normally characterized by a two-party system

b

: minor party

Examples of third-party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Now add in the lack of Google Play services, and the third-party app ecosystem for the Murena tablet is limited. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025

It was operated by a third-party contractor for all 20 years. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 23 Mar. 2025

Noun

But the firm consolidated its fulfillment operation significantly, scrapping the third parties as part of the wider efforts to enhance profitability. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 27 Mar. 2025

Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party. —Ryley Amond, CNBC, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

third party

noun

1

: a person other than the main participants

a third party to the legal proceedings

2

a

: a political party operating usually for a limited time in addition to the two major parties in a 2-party system

b

: minor party

Legal Definition

third party

see party sense 1a, b