Definition

Noun: - One of three equal parts of a whole: A fraction representing a single part when something is divided into three parts of identical size. It is numerically equivalent to 1/3.

Usage

This word is used to specify a precise fractional amount. It functions as a countable noun (e.g., a third, one-third). - It is commonly used in measurements, statistics, recipes, and descriptions of proportions. - It can be written with a hyphen (one-third) or as the numeral 1/3.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • One-third of the students passed the exam.
  • Add one-third cup of sugar to the mixture.
  • She completed one-third of the project before the deadline.

Advanced Usage

• "a third" vs. "one-third": While often interchangeable, can sometimes sound more conversational, whereas is often used for clarity, especially in formal or technical writing.
  • Roughly a third of the budget remains. (More general)
  • Precisely one-third (33.3%) of the sample responded. (More precise)

Variants and Related Words

• Third (n.): Can be used synonymously with (e.g., ). It also refers to the ordinal position (e.g., ).
• 1/3: The numerical and symbolic representation.
• Thirty-three percent (33%): An approximate percentage equivalent.

Synonyms

• A third
• Tierce (archaic)

Related Phrases

• By a third: Indicating a reduction or increase of this amount.
  • Production costs fell by a third.
• Two-thirds: The fraction representing two out of three equal parts (2/3).

Noun

1. one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
   • it contains approximately a third of the minimum daily requirement