trio

[ tree-oh ]

noun

plural trios.

1. a musical composition for three voices or instruments.
2. a company of three singers or players.
3. any group of three persons or things.
4. a subordinate division of a minuet, scherzo, march, etc., usually in a contrasted key and style (perhaps originally written for three instruments or in three parts).

trio

/ ˈtriːəʊ /

noun

1. a group of three people or things
2. music
   1. a group of three singers or instrumentalists or a piece of music composed for such a group
   2. a subordinate section in a scherzo, minuet, etc, that is contrastive in style and often in a related key
3. piquet three cards of the same rank

Word History and Origins

Origin of trio¹

1715–25; < Italian, equivalent to tri- tri- + ( du ) o two

Word History and Origins

Origin of trio¹

C18: from Italian, ultimately from Latin trēs three; compare duo

Example Sentences

There’s salt, of course, and neutral oil and buttermilk — a trio I won’t bake a cake without.

From Salon

Nearly 40 years after Armstrong and bassist Mike Dirnt founded the Bay Area trio in 1987, Green Day is as polished and reliable a rock band as any on the road these days.

From Los Angeles Times

As Ishiguro slowly reveals, the trio are unknowing participants in a nightmarish government scientific and social program.

From Los Angeles Times

Seated backstage, the trio, who’s also behind the Lightning in a Bottle festival currently held at Buena Vista Lake, takes a breather from the booming speakers and thick crowds.

From Los Angeles Times

The trio of judges unanimously agreed to move Ridley forward, and throughout the competition she continued to showcase her vocal abilities by performing hits by Creedence Clearwater Revival and Gladys Knight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• threesome
• trilogy
• triumvirate