trio

[ tree-oh ]

noun

, plural tri·os.

1. a musical composition for three voices or instruments.
2. a company of three singers or players.
3. any group of three persons or things.
4. 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).

trio

/ ˈtriːəʊ /

noun

1. a group of three people or things
2. 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
3. piquet three cards of the same rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of trio¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trio¹

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

Example Sentences

According to the announcement, Apple became aware of a trio of security issues that may have been “actively exploited” before the patch.

From Popular-Science

The chosen trio were Alicia Scott of Range Beauty, Arah Sims of Kyutee Nails, and Tomi Alisha of NaturAll Club.

From Essence.com

Without Thompson to round out the winningest trio in NBA history,13 Golden State isn’t likely to be considered a title contender this season, but no team will want to face Green, Curry and company in the playoffs.

From FiveThirtyEight

To mark the honor, “Lions in Winter” showcases work by the trio, whose styles are distinct but altogether compatible.

From Washington Post

Understandable for a team with a new coach and a new star trio that has faced some injury issues but not good enough.

From Washington Post

The trio formed the Sad Boys collective, with Sherm and Gud on production and Lean manning the mic.

From The Daily Beast

On Wednesday afternoon, the trio turned themselves in to the police.

From The Daily Beast

Before she headlined the Playboy resorts, Joan Rivers was the funny gal in a spirited trio that played in hip nightclubs.

From The Daily Beast

The Playboy publicity posters for the act called them “a spirited trio.”

From The Daily Beast

Additionally, the so-called DDG-1000 can also carry either a pair of helicopters or a single helicopter and a trio of drones.

From The Daily Beast

When Christian had completed his work, the trio returned to headquarters, Mr. Peck leaving again to "do a little thinking."

From Project Gutenberg

Then in 1823 she made her debut at the Opera in a trio skit with Mariette and Tullia.

From Project Gutenberg

The Scherzo is neither good nor bad; the trio is so innocent that it would be almost too infantile for a Sniegourotchka.

From Project Gutenberg

Ten minutes later, after the sergeant had changed into plain clothes, the trio set out along the flat, muddy road for Asheldham.

From Project Gutenberg

Xenophon is the last of the trio of the Greek historians whose writings are classic and inimitable.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• threesome
• trilogy
• triumvirate