trio

[tree-oh]

See more synonyms for trio on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural tri·os.

a musical composition for three voices or instruments.
a company of three singers or players.
any group of three persons or things.

a subordinate division of a minuet, scherzo, march, etc., usually in a contrasted key and style (perhaps originally written for three instruments or in three parts).

Origin of trio

1715–25; < Italian, equivalent to tri- tri- + (du)o two

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for trio

threesome, triumvirate, trilogy, troika, leash, triple, triad, trinity, trine, triplet, triangle, triplicate, triptych, trey, ternion, triune

Examples from the Web for trio

Contemporary Examples of trio

The trio formed the Sad Boys collective, with Sherm and Gud on production and Lean manning the mic.
The Cult of Yung Lean: ‘I’m Building An Anarchistic Society From the Ground Up’
Marlow Stern
January 4, 2015
On Wednesday afternoon, the trio turned themselves in to the police.
The Monuments Men of Occupy Hong Kong
Brendon Hong
December 4, 2014
Additionally, the so-called DDG-1000 can also carry either a pair of helicopters or a single helicopter and a trio of drones.
Can the Navy's $12 Billion Stealth Destroyer Stay Afloat?
Dave Majumdar
October 22, 2014
Now, the actress is back with a trio of standout performances in indie films.
The Resurrection of Kristen Stewart
Marlow Stern
October 11, 2014
Rivers herself was the hardest-working person in Hollywood the trio said.
Melissa Rivers: Life After Joan—A Funny, Moving Celebration on a Special 'Fashion Police'
Tim Teeman
September 20, 2014

Historical Examples of trio

Grace led the way and the trio ascended to the second story.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
The trio got into a waiting car and Haggerty trailed them in a taxi.
Poisoned Air
Sterner St. Paul Meek
He drew a breath of relief as the trio emerged into the open air.
Cap'n Warren's Wards
Joseph C. Lincoln
When the trio were again in the library, the captain spoke once more.
Cap'n Warren's Wards
Joseph C. Lincoln
Each of the trio enjoyed them greatly, Caroline quite as much as the others.
Cap'n Warren's Wards
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for trio

trio

noun plural trios

a group of three people or things
music
1. a group of three singers or instrumentalists or a piece of music composed for such a group
2. a subordinate section in a scherzo, minuet, etc, that is contrastive in style and often in a related key
piquet three cards of the same rank

Word Origin for trio

C18: from Italian, ultimately from Latin trēs three; compare duo

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for trio

1724, from French trio (c.1600), from Italian trio, from tri- "three" (see three); patterned on duo.