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

The triangle might have rotated at times, but there were multiple instances within the opening 15 minutes of the close attention being paid by Liverpool’s trio. —Mark Carey, The Athletic, 3 Feb. 2025

Ben James, 28, has replaced Bonsall, alongside the trio of Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 3 Feb. 2025

But a trio of local brewers think there is power in numbers. —Max Scheinblum, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2025

They’re trailed by a trio of artists scoring six nominations each: Taylor Swift and Grammy newcomers Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan. —Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 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