trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtri-lə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three dramas or literary works or sometimes three musical compositions that are closely related and develop a single theme

Did you know?

Dozens of tragic trilogies were written for the Greek stage, though only one, Aeschylus's great Oresteia (consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, *and *The Eumenides), has survived complete. Authors in later years have occasionally chosen to create trilogies to allow themselves to develop a highly complex story or cover a long span of time. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings wasn't actually intended as a trilogy, but since it was published in three volumes it's usually called one. George Lucas's three original Star Wars movies are an example of a film trilogy (which he followed many years later by another).

Examples of trilogy in a Sentence

the last book in the trilogy

Recent Examples on the Web

Universal's latest adaptation brings the beloved DreamWorks trilogy, loosely inspired by Cressida Cowell’s novels, into a new dimension. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

The final freak in our trilogy, Robert Smith. R.C.: The Cure are known for atmospheric sounds and introspective lyrics about joy, love, and heartbreak. —Nate Sloan, Vulture, 12 Nov. 2024

Antoine Fuqua, the director behind the Equalizer trilogy, Emancipation, and SouthPaw, will direct the biopic, which received approval from the Jackson estate. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

This third album in the trilogy serves as the final chapter crafted with existential and self-referential themes. —Katcy Stephan, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek trilogia, from tri- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtril-ə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three literary, dramatic, or musical works that are closely related and develop a single theme