three

American  

[three] / θri /

noun

1. a cardinal number, 2 plus 1.

2. a symbol for this number, as 3 or III.

3. a set of this many persons or things.

4. a playing card, die face, or half of a domino face with three pips.

---

adjective

1. amounting to three in number.

idioms

1. three sheets in the wind. sheet.

three British  

/ θriː /

noun

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of two and one and is a prime number See also number

2. a numeral, 3, III, (iii), representing this number

3. the amount or quantity that is one greater than two

4. something representing, represented by, or consisting of three units such as a playing card with three symbols on it

5. Also called: three o'clock.  three hours after noon or midnight

---

determiner

1. 1. amounting to three

      three ships

   2. ( as pronoun )

      three were killed

Etymology

Origin of three

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English thrēo, thrīo, feminine and neuter of thrī(e); cognate with Dutch drie, German drei, Old Norse thrīr, Gothic threis, Greek treîs, Latin trēs “three,” ter “thrice,” Irish trí, Old Church Slavonic tri, Sanskrit trī, tráyas

Example Sentences

The talks will stretch through two weeks, then three, then months.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

“I waited there for like three minutes,” Auriemma told reporters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

A mum of three, Aimee believes that women in Northern Ireland are not supported properly after they give birth, as postpartum physiotherapy is not routinely offered.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

In the first three quarters of fiscal 2026, Constellation’s beer sales decreased 4% year over year.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

He struck the stone against the rim of his monocle, raining sparks over the hearth kindling—once, twice, three times, until the sparks nestled into the tinder and began to grow into flames.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman