In music theory, what is the term for the third scale degree?

The term for the third scale degree is "Mediant." In music theory, the scale degrees are named based on their position within the diatonic scale. The mediant is specifically the third note of the scale, acting as a bridge between the tonic (first scale degree) and the dominant (fifth scale degree).

Understanding the mediant's function is crucial because it helps establish the tonal center and contributes to harmonic progressions within a piece of music. The mediant is often used in chord creation and modulation because of its stability while also providing a sense of movement away from the tonic.

The other terms refer to different scale degrees: the supertonic is the second degree, the dominant is the fifth, and the submediant is the sixth. Each of these plays a unique role in scale structure and harmony, but they do not represent the third scale degree, hence why they are not applicable in this context.