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three-legged

American  
[three-leg-id, -legd] / ˈθriˈlɛg ɪd, -ˈlɛgd /

adjective

  1. having three legs.

    a three-legged stool.

  2. Informal. (of a schooner) having three masts.


Etymology

Origin of three-legged

First recorded in 1590–1600

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.

See Examples For:

“It’s like a three-legged stool supporting the market today,” said Shannon Saccocia, chief investment officer of wealth at Neuberger Berman.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 15, 2026

Here’s why: Visualize your retirement as a three-legged stool.

From MarketWatch Jan. 27, 2026

Trio is a three-legged dog; Jolene, I believe, is in a wheelchair.

From Salon Feb. 9, 2025

And so I think of accountability as kind of a three-legged stool.

From Slate Sep. 7, 2024

Nivea took charge of Clara’s trousseau, since Clara did not show the slightest interest in the contents of the sandalwood trunks, and continued her experiments with the three-legged table and her divining cards.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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