adjective / noun

tertiary

TUR-shee-air-ee/ˈtɜːrʃieri/

Third in an order or hierarchy.

The hand indicates the tertiary level below the first two.

Three descending levels of a simple stone display stand with one object on each level, a pointing hand specifically indicating the third lowest level, only essential small numerals 1 2 3 on corresponding steps, no words.

Etymology

The pieces mean “pertaining to the third.” Tertiary applies that numerical position to an order or hierarchy, marking the third level, rank, or degree.

In context

Professor Bob Long - Human Anatomy and Physiology9:32

bronchus out it ends right here and it splits you see these two little light blue regions i refer to those as the tertiary bronchi it looks like the word tertiary but it's pronounced tertiary means third level

Professor Long 2402 Lab Bronchial Tree and Lungs

More examples

The institution offered tertiary education.
A tertiary source summarized information from other references.
The chart placed the tertiary below the first two levels.

Forms

tertiary · tertiaries

Similar words

secondary: Secondary is second in order; tertiary is third.
quaternary: Quaternary is fourth in order, after tertiary.