three

noun

1
: a number that is one more than 2 see Table of Numbers
2
: the third in a set or series
the three of hearts
3
a
: something having three units or members
three adjective
three pronoun, plural in construction

Examples of three in a Sentence

“What time is it?” “It's three.” I leave each day at three.
Recent Examples on the Web It’s also tied for the second-most threes the Heat has made in any game in franchise history. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2024 The team made only eight of 29 three-pointers, the Nuggets hitting seven more threes. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 21 Apr. 2024 Clark hit nine threes, on her way to forty-one points and twelve assists. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024 Jackson scored 31 and made seven threes, his chance at a go-ahead three for No. 8 late rattling out. Dan Woike, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024 Among the 28 players around the league who took at least seven threes per game this season through that date, Robinson held the NBA’s third-best three-point percentage at that time only behind Dallas’ Kyrie Irving and New Orleans’ CJ McCollum. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024 Wiggins nailed another from the wing, as the Warriors traded threes for Laker twos and foul shots. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024 But that first half? Miller became only the second player in NBA history to score 25-plus points with 100% shooting from the field, 100% shooting from the free-throw line and 100% shooting from 3 (with five or more threes attempted). Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2024 As perspective, Adebayo connected on 9 for 76 on threes in his first 472 regular-season games before this eight-game stretch. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'three.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from three, adjective, from Old English thrīe (masculine), thrēo (feminine & neuter); akin to Old High German drī three, Latin tres, Greek treis

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of three was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near three

Cite this Entry

“Three.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/three. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

three

noun
1
: a number that is one more than 2 see number
2
: the third in a set or series
the three of hearts
3
a
: something having three units or members
three adjective or pronoun

More from Merriam-Webster on three

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