1 third estate | Definition of third estate
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third estate

noun, often capitalized T&E

Definition of third estate

: the third of the traditional political orders specifically : the commons

Examples of third estate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Like the revolutionaries of 1789, those in the contemporary French third estate (the commoners) have been stirred by the hypocrisy of their betters. — Joel Kotkin, National Review, "The Return to Serfdom," 25 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'third estate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of third estate

1604, in the meaning defined above

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More from Merriam-Webster on third estate

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about third estate

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