trilogy
Americannoun
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a series or group of three plays, novels, operas, etc., that, although individually complete, are closely related in theme, sequence, or the like.
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(in ancient Greek drama) a series of three complete and usually related tragedies performed at the festival of Dionysus and forming a tetralogy with the satyr play.
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a group of three related things.
noun
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a series of three related works, esp in literature, etc
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(in ancient Greece) a series of three tragedies performed together at the Dionysian festivals
Etymology
Origin of trilogy
From the Greek word trilogía, dating back to 1655–65. See tri-, -logy
Explanation
If you’ve just started a trilogy of books, you’ll be reading for a while. A trilogy is something that has three parts, so you'll have three books to read. You can see the tri-, meaning "three," in trilogy. The word originates from the Greek word trilogia, meaning "series of three related tragedies performed at Athens at the festival of Dionysus." Today, you can use trilogy to describe three of anything, such as a trilogy of movies that has the same characters, settings, and themes.
Vocabulary lists containing trilogy
100 SAT Words Beginning with "T"
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This Week In Words: Current Events Vocab for December 26, 2020—January 1, 2021
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"Tested by a Picturesque Dystopia"
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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.
Its paper profit in Trilogy Metals totals more than $90 million, assuming that the government meets its obligation to build an industrial road the company plans to use.
From Barron's • May 8, 2026
Lydon first came to prominence after starring in Billy Roche's Wexford Trilogy of plays in the mid-1980s.
From BBC • May 3, 2026
The Administration has also taken stakes in other mineral companies, including MP Materials, Lithium Americas, Trilogy Metals and Vulcan Elements.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 2, 2026
MP Materials’ stock has gained 53.8% since the July 10 close, while Trilogy shares have slipped 4.5% since the Oct.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 26, 2026
They make a point of driving into Cambridge with the children when the Apu Trilogy plays at the Orson Welles, or when there is a Kathakali dance performance or a sitar recital at Memorial Hall.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
