tertiary
Pronunciation: [ˈtɜrʃiˌɛri]
Context: “education”
(adjective) this means something that comes after primary and secondary education. It’s like going to college or university after high school.
Example
Many students choose to pursue tertiary education to gain more knowledge and skills for their future careers.
Example
Without a tertiary degree, he found it hard to get a job in his desired field.
Example
What kind of tertiary programs are available at this college?
Context: “importance”
(adjective) this describes something that is third in order or less important than the first two. If you have first choices and second choices, tertiary is what comes afterward.
Example
Her tertiary concerns were addressed after the main issues were resolved.
Example
Ignoring tertiary issues can sometimes lead to bigger problems later on.
Example
What are the tertiary priorities we need to discuss?
Context: “science”
(adjective) in science, particularly in geology, tertiary refers to a period of time from the past when certain kinds of rocks formed. It’s a time in Earth’s history.
Example
The fossils found in this area date back to the tertiary period.
Example
The rocks in this location are not from the tertiary period; they are much older.
Example
What are some animals that lived during the tertiary period?