trident
noun
a three-pronged instrument or weapon.
trident
American
[trahyd-nt]
/ ˈtraɪd nt /
noun
tridents
plural
-
a three-pronged instrument or weapon.
-
Roman History. a three-pronged spear used by a retiarius in gladiatorial combats.
-
Classical Mythology. the three-pronged spear forming a characteristic attribute of the sea god Poseidon, or Neptune.
-
a fish spear having three prongs.
-
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
trident
1
British
/ ˈtraɪdənt /
noun
-
a three-pronged spear, originally from the East
-
(in Greek and Roman mythology) the three-pronged spear that the sea god Poseidon (Neptune) is represented as carrying
-
a three-pronged instrument, weapon, or symbol
adjective
Trident
2
British
/ ˈtraɪdənt /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of trident
First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin trident- (stem of tridēns ) “having three teeth”; see tri-, dent 2
Explanation
If you’re the ancient Greek god of the sea, you’re probably already familiar with a trident, a three-pronged spear you can use to stab things. The trident, which is a spear with three points, or prongs, is often associated with the Greek god Poseidon, who used his trident to cause earthquakes and create sources of water. Mere mortals, however, are more likely to use a trident for spear fishing, or long ago, for military combat. Remember not to confuse a trident with a pitchfork, which is used mainly for lifting and tossing things.
Vocabulary lists containing trident
UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #5
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UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #6
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: tri-
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The Kings’ success will rest in how well Los Angeles adapts to Laviolette’s coaching trident.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Some fought with only a trident; some fought mounted on horseback; some on chariot; others on foot with helmet and short sword; some with two daggers; still others exclusively fought wild beasts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
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.
From BBC ● Mar. 11, 2025
He notes that the merfolk Laios wants to eat holds a trident as a weapon, making the conclusion that merfolk are smart enough to use tools.
From Salon ● Apr. 28, 2024
Jason charged to help him, but the giant blocked him with his huge trident.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Deterra has a royalty over the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada following its 2024 acquisition of Trident Royalties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026
Those include the UK's four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines which carry Trident nuclear missiles.
From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2026
The UK has operated continuous at-sea deterrence since 1969, with first Polaris and then Trident missiles stored on and launched from nuclear-powered submarines with the capacity to remain submerged at sea for months.
From BBC ● Mar. 21, 2026
In September, the United States carried out tests of its nuclear-capable Trident missiles.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2025
"You avenged Lyanna at the Trident," Ned said, halting beside the king.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
From BBC ● Jan. 13, 2025
On the inside collar of the jersey is the slogan “Sodo Mojo” with two upward point tridents, which is a nod to where the Mariners have played in the Sodo District.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2023
Fair enough, until I look around the restaurant and notice how many visual distractions there are, including all shapes and sizes of tridents.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 17, 2023
The scientists measured various Walliserops specimens’ tridents and compared them with those of living rhinoceros beetles, which have elaborate headgear that males use to battle one another.
From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 2023
Lord Manderly’s household guard wore cloaks of blue-green wool and carried silver tridents in place of common spears.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
