third-class

¹ American  

[thurd-klas, -klahs] / ˈθɜrdˈklæs, -ˈklɑs /

adjective

1. of the lowest or poorest class or quality; inferior.

2. least costly and luxurious.

   a third-class coach.

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adverb

1. by third-class mail or passenger accommodations.

   to travel third-class.

third class ² American  

noun

1. the class, grade, or rank immediately below the second.

2. the least costly class of accommodations on trains, in hotels, etc.

3. (in the U.S. Postal Service) the class of mail consisting of merchandise weighing up to 16 ounces, and written or printed material, as books, manuscripts, or circulars, not sealed against postal inspection.

4. the lowest of three honors degrees conferred by a British university.

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third class British  

noun

1. the class or grade next in value, quality, etc, to the second

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adjective

1. of the class or grade next in value, quality, etc, to the second

2. of or denoting the class of accommodation in a hotel, on a ship, etc, next in quality and price to the second: usually the cheapest

3. (in the US and Canada) of or relating to a class of mail consisting largely of unsealed printed matter

4. See third

adverb

1. by third-class mail, transport, etc

Etymology

Origin of third-class¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Origin of third class¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

By the third class, I had established an unspoken understanding with the clay.

From Salon

"There is a saying that South Korea's economy and culture are first class, but its politics are third class. Now is the chance to reflect on that."

From BBC

The wealthy first-class passengers were given silver service for their meals - but in third class, it was a different story.

From BBC

But on Thursday, officials announced that they had used advanced forensic technology to identify one of them as David Walker, a 19-year-old mess attendant third class from Norfolk, Va.

From New York Times

"On occasion, you get treated like a third class citizen" and in a "patronising, off-hand manner", she says.

From BBC