trio

[tree-oh]

noun

plural

trios 

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

They all come in pairs or trios, with the images in each set similar but not exactly the same.

From BBC

The trio said that it canceled its U.S. tour “due to the close proximity of our next court hearing in London on September 26 – as the British government continues its witch-hunt.”

From Los Angeles Times

Does he regard Newcastle as a top side and, if so, will he play his robust midfield trio again in the middle of the park?

From BBC

Recurring motifs, including a trio of nondescript dogs that several workshop attendees adopted for their own mugs, adorned various Stringer originals strewn about Backhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

The site is sandwiched between a trio of affluent communities — Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills and Calabasas — loaded with famous and outspoken residents.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• threesome 
• trilogy 
• triumvirate