third sector

American

noun

the segment of a nation's economy that is made up of neither public nor business concerns, as nonprofit health or educational institutions.

third sector British

noun

another name for the voluntary sector

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

third-sector adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It called for more community-based sentences and support and more use of the third sector charities and organisations.

From BBC • Sep. 2, 2025

MacCallum was told by a sheriff she had "systematically and deliberately" perpetrated "calculating" frauds on the third sector organisations.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2025

Mr Sarwar’s speech to the Prosper forum, which consisted of private, public and third sector organisations, also set out some big changes for Labour’s pitch at the Holyrood election in 2026.

From BBC • May 31, 2024

A third sector that includes services such as tourism, communications and education was down 4.9%.

From Reuters • Jul. 22, 2023

Againe multiply the same ray or semidiameters 5, by 3.5/7, the halfe of 7.3/7, the product of 18.4/7 shall be the content of the third sector.

From The Way To Geometry by Bedwell, William

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023