1
: of, relating to, or involving a third party
third-party insurance
2
: of, relating to, or being software that is created by a vendor to be compatible with the products of another vendor

third party

2 of 2

noun

1
: a person other than the principals
a third party to a divorce proceeding
insurance against injury to third parties
2
a
: a major political party operating over a limited period of time in addition to two other major parties in a nation or state normally characterized by a two-party system

Examples of third-party in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Furthermore, Android 17 introduces mandatory developer identity verification for third-party apps, positioning the Google Play Store as a strict gatekeeper and restricting sideloading. Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The race has intensified in the final 10 days as outside, third-party groups are pouring millions of dollars into the race. Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026
Noun
No third party has been able to significantly break through that system in recent history. Chantelle Lee, Time, 6 Aug. 2026 In order to receive a payment, claimants must prove that 1) Equifax sent a credit report to a third party showing a duplication collection amount, or 2) the duplicate collection account was one of the reasons the claimant was denied credit. Jason Cohen, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for third-party

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1901, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1641, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of third-party was in 1641

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Third-party.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/third-party. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Kids Definition

third party

noun
1
: a person other than the main participants
a third party to the legal proceedings
2
a
: a political party operating usually for a limited time in addition to the two major parties in a 2-party system

Legal Definition

third party

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