troika

[ troi-kuh ]

noun

1. a Russian carriage, wagon, or sleigh drawn by a team of three horses abreast.
2. a team of three horses driven abreast.
3. any group of three persons, nations, etc., acting equally in unison to exert influence, control, or the like.

troika

/ ˈtrɔɪkə /

noun

1. a Russian vehicle drawn by three horses abreast
2. three horses harnessed abreast
3. a triumvirate

Word History and Origins

Origin of troika¹

1835–45; < Russian tróĭka threesome, troika, derivative of tróe three (collective), akin to tri three

Word History and Origins

Origin of troika¹

C19: from Russian, from troe three

Example Sentences

The second thing is that the movie stars Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy, a troika of charisma bombs who just have to show up for me to do the same.

From New York Times

Three such titles this year are a heat-seeking troika that involve American notables who, after a period of relative domestic quiet, have showily returned to the international stage.

From New York Times

Bakish will be replaced by a troika of executives who will form a new “Office of the CEO.”

From Seattle Times

But since the Democratic Party is dedicated to the troika of ideology/power/money, it embraces him.

From Washington Times

The nation’s banks are regulated by a troika of regulators: the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• triumvirate