three

noun

ˈthrē How to pronounce three (audio)
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
b
: three-pointer
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Advertisement Last season, the Lakers took 31.4 threes per game, the third fewest in the NBA. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024 After shooting 3 for 10 in the California Classic opener, Johnson has shot 12 for 20 and 4 for 8 on threes in the past two games. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 11 July 2024 Chicago, meanwhile, buried a jaw-dropping 21 threes, the third-most in Bulls franchise history. —Brian Sampson, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 That piece is a polyrhythm-palooza — threes on twos, twos on threes, three-counts and two-counts alternating. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for three 

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

Phrases Containing three

Dictionary Entries Near three

threats action

three

three-arm protractor

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Three.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/three. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

three

noun
ˈthrē How to pronounce three (audio)
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
b
: three-pointer
three adjective or pronoun

More from Merriam-Webster on three

Nglish: Translation of three for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of three for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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