triannual

[trahy-an-yoo-uhl]

adjective

1. done, occurring, issued, etc., three times a year.

2. triennial.

noun

1. a triannual publication, contest, etc.

2. triennial.

Other Word Forms

• triannually adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of triannual¹

First recorded in 1630–40; tri- + annual

Example Sentences

The Federal Reserve, in its triannual survey of household finances released last month, painted a bright picture: “Between 2019 and 2022, real median net worth surged 37%, and real mean net worth increased 23%,” the Fed reported.

From Los Angeles Times

Nationwide, the median Black family has about 12 cents of wealth for every dollar a median White family does, according the most recent estimate by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, which calculates the disparity using the Fed’s triannual Survey of Consumer Finances.

From Washington Post

Low maternal mortality rates in the U.K. are no accident, Chappell says, citing a triannual survey called the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths.

From Scientific American

Later this month, 700 acres will temporarily open to the public for one of the park’s triannual “Discovery Days.”

From Seattle Times

Its most ambitious program is St. Joseph Center’s Codetalk — a triannual, 15-week course intended to provide women with unstable work histories sufficient tech skills to land an entry-level job.

From Seattle Times

When To Use

What does triannual mean?

Triannual is commonly used to mean one of two things: occurring once every three years or occurring three times per year.Triannual is a synonym of the less commonly used triennial, which can mean every three years or lasting for three years (though triannual is rarely if ever used in this second sense.)Yes, you can sometimes figure out what triannual means from the context of the sentence. But not always. Here’s the best (and maybe only) way to be perfectly clear: just say “three times a year” or “once every three years.”The adverb form of triannual is triannually.Triannual can also be used as a noun to refer to a triannual event or publication, or to a third anniversary, as in Welcome to the third triannual! Examples:

• The triannual tournament has been held every three years since 1916.



• This is a triannual meeting—we have it in February, June, and October.