third class

Thân thiện

A family travels in third class on a long train journey.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Inexpensive accommodations on a ship or train: The cheapest and least comfortable class of travel or accommodation available on a ship or train.
   • Mail consisting of printed matter qualifying for reduced postal rates: A category of mail service for items like advertisements, catalogs, and other printed material, sent at a lower cost than first-class mail.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Travel):
  • In the early 20th century, many immigrants crossed the Atlantic in third class.
  • The train ticket for third class was significantly cheaper, but the seats were wooden benches.
• Noun (Postal Service):
  • Bulk advertisements are often sent via third class to reduce costs.
  • The library sends its newsletter as third-class mail.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The term is often used adjectivally with a hyphen.
  • They booked a third-class cabin on the steamship.
  • This is a third-class postal rate.

Variants and Related Words

• Third-class (adjective): Of or relating to the third class.
  • A third-class ticket; third-class mail.
• Steerage: A historical synonym for the cheapest accommodations on a ship, often located near the steering mechanism.

Synonyms

• (Travel): Steerage, economy class (modern equivalent).
• (Postal): Bulk mail, standard mail (modern USPS term).

Different Meanings

The term "third class" can also be used figuratively outside of travel and postal contexts to describe something of very low quality or status. * He felt he was being given third-class treatment by the company. * This software is a third-class product compared to its competitors.

Học thuật

Noun

1. inexpensive accommodations on a ship or train
2. mail consisting of printed matter qualifying for reduced postal rates

Từ đồng nghĩa

• tourist class
• third-class mail