trio

noun

ˈtrē-(ˌ)ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voice parts or three instruments

b

: the secondary or episodic division of a minuet or scherzo, a march, or of various dance forms

2

: the performers of a musical or dance trio

3

: a group or set of three

Synonyms

• threesome
• triad
• trifecta
• trinity
• triple
• triplet
• triumvirate

Examples of trio in a Sentence

He plays in a jazz trio.

the band was just a trio of musicians on piano, drums, and saxophone

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the weekend, the trio came together to celebrate their son, Kasseem Dean Jr.’s, 18th birthday and acceptance to New York University. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Although still ahead of Curtis Samuel, with the rest of the room healthy, the Bills have prioritized having the Shakir, Coleman and Hollins trio in the game more often than Cooper. —Joe Buscaglia, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024

As for how much the firm spends on it annually, the trio is tight-lipped. —Lane Sainty, The Arizona Republic, 22 Dec. 2024

The trio had one last grand hurrah in 2021 when the Giants set a franchise record with 107 wins, one more than the perennial National League West-winning Los Angeles Dodgers. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian from tri- (from Latin)

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

trio

noun

ˈtrē-ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voices or instruments

b

: the performers of a musical trio

2

: a group or set of three