Providing a liquid crystal composition satisfies at least one of characteristics like a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat. Providing a liquid crystal composition has a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics. Providing an AM device has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition has a negative dielectric anisotropy and contains a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy as a first component and a specific three-ring compound having a large optical anisotropy and a negative dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and a liquid crystal display device contains the composition.