ternary

American  

[tur-nuh-ree] / ˈtɜr nə ri /

adjective

1. consisting of or involving three; threefold; triple.

2. third in order or rank.

3. based on the number three.

4. Chemistry.

   1. consisting of three different elements or groups.

   2. (formerly) consisting of three atoms.

5. Mathematics. having three variables.

6. Metallurgy. (of an alloy) having three principal constituents.

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noun

ternaries plural

1. a group of three.

ternary British  

/ ˈtɜːnərɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of three or groups of three

2. maths

   1. (of a number system) to the base three

   2. involving or containing three variables

3. (of an alloy, mixture, or chemical compound) having three different components or composed of three different elements

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noun

1. a group of three

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• ternaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of ternary

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin ternārius made up of three. See tern ², -ary

Example Sentences

The simulations involved investigating the potential for ion exchange reactions between ternary wurtzite-type oxides and halides/nitrates.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2024

The mixed-dimensional anti-ambipolar device's transconductance-flipping feature has shown the possibility of versatile applications in digital and analog signal processing, including ternary logic inverters, advanced optoelectronics and frequency-doubling circuits.

From Science Daily • Feb. 23, 2024

Sweden’s Andersson Dance joins the Scottish Ensemble in “Goldberg Variations — ternary patterns for insomnia.”

From Washington Post • Mar. 8, 2017

He pointed out the markers indicating the perimeters of the original grove, the levelling, and the ternary patterns that he’d adapted from Le Nôtre’s original design.

From The New Yorker • May 30, 2015

Songs in which the first section returns again at the end are known as ternary, three-part or ABA.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• threefold