trigram

noun

tri·​gram ˈtrī-ˌgram How to pronounce trigram (audio)
1
2
: any of the eight possible combinations of three whole or broken lines used especially in Chinese divination

Examples of trigram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Connecting the trigrams to spell out the phrase draws a letter, and leads you to the next clue’s starting point (in this case, cell K2). Andrew Hetherington, Popular Mechanics, 12 Mar. 2020 The answer to each fourth clue is a number, rather than a new trigram. Andrew Hetherington, Popular Mechanics, 12 Mar. 2020 The trigrams on the South Korea flag were translated into an eight-point star, representing the full spectrum of a united fraternity of North Korea and South Korea athletes. New York Times, 15 Feb. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trigram was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near trigram

Cite this Entry

“Trigram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trigram. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!