three-legged
Americanadjective
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having three legs.
a three-legged stool.
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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.
“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
If racing becomes a three-legged stool, the chances of collapse are major.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 2, 2025
She baked bread on hot little stones we called rathef in the iron oven set over the three-legged stove.
From "Tasting the Sky" by Ibtisam Barakat
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.