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

Make the pitchers happy Joe Hudson, Miguel Palma, Collin Price This trio will join Yainer Diaz, Victor Caratini, and César Salazar in the arduous task of catching countless bullpen sessions and live batting practices on back fields and Grapefruit League games. —Chandler Rome, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025

This spring, the New York trio has headlining shows in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. —Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 22 Jan. 2025

The trio spent the past three years working together, as both Piñeiro and Hekker arrived in 2022. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 22 Jan. 2025

The 10-episode series hails from Mindy Project trio Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen — the latter of whom serves as showrunner. —Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 21 Jan. 2025

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