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third reading

American  

noun

  1. the final step in the consideration of a legislative bill before it is put to a vote.


third reading British  

noun

  1. the process of discussing the committee's report on a bill

  2. the final consideration of a bill

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of third reading

First recorded in 1565–75

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.

See Examples For:

Most bills are passed after a third reading, which for this proposed law could take place by the end of this year, legal experts say.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 26, 2026

It must pass a second and third reading before becoming law.

From Barron's Nov. 10, 2025

The third reading of the bill was the last opportunity for MPs to approve or reject it.

From BBC Jun. 20, 2025

The government won the vote at the so-called third reading of the bill in the House of Commons by 289 votes to 230.

From Reuters Apr. 26, 2023

After my third reading of The Well of Loneliness I became a bleeding heart for the downtrodden misunderstood lesbians.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

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