trident

[trahyd-nt]

noun

1. a three-pronged instrument or weapon.

2. Roman History.,  a three-pronged spear used by a retiarius in gladiatorial combats.

3. Classical Mythology.,  the three-pronged spear forming a characteristic attribute of the sea god Poseidon, or Neptune.

4. a fish spear having three prongs.

5. Military.,  Trident, a 34-foot (10-meter) submarine-launched U.S. ballistic missile with eight to ten warheads and a range of 6,500 miles (10,459 km).

adjective

1. Also tridental having three prongs or tines.

trident

¹

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a three-pronged spear, originally from the East

2. (in Greek and Roman mythology) the three-pronged spear that the sea god Poseidon (Neptune) is represented as carrying

3. a three-pronged instrument, weapon, or symbol

adjective

1. having three prongs

Trident

²

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a type of US submarine-launched ballistic missile with independently targetable warheads

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin trident- (stem of tridēns ) “having three teeth”; tri-, dent ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

C16: from Latin tridēns three-pronged, from _tri- + dēns tooth

Example Sentences

As well as protecting maritime task groups and gathering intelligence, they protect the Vanguard class of submarines that carry the UK's trident nuclear missiles.

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The three pillars in the artist's impression, unveiled by the firm Foster and Partners, are a nod to the trident on the Red Devil's crest.

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The design will feature three masts described as "the trident", which the architects say will be 200 metres high and visible from 25 miles away.

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One group of ash-smeared holy men, some naked and some dressed in just a loin cloth or marigold garland draped around their necks, marched through the streets, holding tridents, swords and small two-headed drums.

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One group of ash-smeared men, some naked and some dressed in just loin cloth or marigold garland draped around their necks, marched in holding tridents, swords and small two-headed drums.

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Related Words

• bayonet 
• blade 
• dart 
• harpoon 
• skewer