third man

American  

noun

1. Cricket.

   1. the position of a fielder on the off side between slip and point.

   2. the fielder occupying this position.

2. Lacrosse.

   1. the position of a player, first in the line of defense between center and goal.

   2. the player occupying this position.

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third man British  

noun

1. cricket

   1. a fielding position on the off side near the boundary behind the batsman's wicket

   2. a fielder in this position

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Etymology

Origin of third man

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The third man behind the law was Christopher Sykes, son of Sir Tatton Sykes of Sledmere.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

In fact, a third man also signed the three-page contract that launched the company on April 1, 1976: Ronald Wayne.

From Barron's • Mar. 29, 2026

In the lawsuit, Valencia resident Parker Seitz alleged that off-duty deputies Randy Austin and Nicholas Hernandez, along with a third man attacked him outside a bar called the Break Room in late November 2024.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter after the deaths of two teenagers at a holiday park in East Yorkshire.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Almost by accident he glanced up the ridge, in time to see a third man not one hundred yards away, on foot and also carrying a rifle, rise into view.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols