WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
three R's, n. [plural: the + ~]
  1. reading, writing, and arithmetic, the fundamentals of education:Parents wanted more emphasis on the three R's.
  2. the fundamentals or basic skills of any field.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
three R's, 
    1. reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic, regarded as the fundamentals of education.
    2. the fundamentals, basic knowledge, or skills of any system or field:the three R's of good government.
    • 1820–30

'three R's' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
R, r

Forum discussions with the word(s) "three R's" in the title:


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