third party

American  

noun

• third parties
  plural

1. any party to an incident, case, quarrel, etc., who is incidentally involved.

2. (in a two-party system) a political party formed as a dissenting or independent group from members of one or both of the two prevailing major parties.

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third party British  

noun

1. a person who is involved by chance or only incidentally in a legal proceeding, agreement, or other transaction, esp one against whom a defendant claims indemnity

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adjective

1. insurance providing protection against liability caused by accidental injury or death of other persons or damage to their property

   third-party insurance

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• third parties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of third party

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

third party

The hands part is actually very challenging, and the analysts said that Hyundai may end up using those created by a third party.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026

The firm did not specify how people will be asked to apply, but the program will be administered by an independent third party unaffiliated with the company, the district attorney’s office said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026

“Any data we receive will be rigorously scrubbed of any personally identifiable information by a third party before receipt.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Allowing a third party to monitor a ceasefire is one way to reduce violations and disputes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026

"Yes, sir, he put through the sale—though he made it clear that he was buying Soldier Island for a third party, unnamed."

From "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie

Related Words

• mediator