trident

[ trahyd-nt ]

noun

1. a three-pronged instrument or weapon.
2. Roman History. a three-pronged spear used by a retiarius in gladiatorial combats.
3. Classical Mythology. the three-pronged spear forming a characteristic attribute of the sea god Poseidon, or Neptune.
4. a fish spear having three prongs.
5. Trident, Military. a 34-foot (10-meter) submarine-launched U.S. ballistic missile with eight to ten warheads and a range of 6,500 miles (10,459 km).

adjective

1. Also tri·den·tal [] having three prongs or tines.

trident

¹

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a three-pronged spear, originally from the East
2. (in Greek and Roman mythology) the three-pronged spear that the sea god Poseidon (Neptune) is represented as carrying
3. a three-pronged instrument, weapon, or symbol

adjective

1. having three prongs

Trident

²

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a type of US submarine-launched ballistic missile with independently targetable warheads

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin trident- (stem of tridēns ) “having three teeth”; tri-, dent ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

C16: from Latin tridēns three-pronged, from tri- + dēns tooth

Example Sentences

Tiffany & Co.’s new collection by Pharrell Williams, dubbed Tiffany Titan, takes inspiration from mythology, channeling the spike of Poseidon’s trident as a symbol of lifeforce, rebellious power and punk energy.

From Los Angeles Times

Raley hit a 432-foot blast off Royals starter Brady Singer in the second inning, and then promptly broke the team trident while celebrating in the dugout.

From Seattle Times

Even if a pregame performer twirled a flaming trident behind second base, a surreal spectacle for thousands of fans still finding their seats.

From Seattle Times

"Hundreds of thousands of men were all over Ayodhya. They had sticks, swords and tridents. Our house was surrounded by them," says Anwari Begum, now 65.

From BBC

A picture showed a Christmas tree and one of the baubles on it displaying a yellow trident, Ukraine's national symbol.

From BBC

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• dart
• harpoon
• skewer