ternary

[ tur-nuh-ree ]

adjective

1. consisting of or involving three; threefold; triple.
2. third in order or rank.
3. based on the number three.
4. Chemistry.
   1. consisting of three different elements or groups.
   2. (formerly) consisting of three atoms.
5. Mathematics. having three variables.
6. Metallurgy. (of an alloy) having three principal constituents.

noun

, plural ter·na·ries.

1. a group of three.

ternary

/ ˈtɜːnərɪ /

adjective

1. consisting of three or groups of three
2. maths
   1. (of a number system) to the base three
   2. involving or containing three variables
3. (of an alloy, mixture, or chemical compound) having three different components or composed of three different elements

noun

1. a group of three

Word History and Origins

Origin of ternary¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin ternārius made up of three. See tern ², -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of ternary¹

C14: from Latin ternārius, from ternī three each

Example Sentences

For complex ternary perovskite hydrides, achieving this is difficult, and very few research groups have attempted it.

From Science Daily

The simulations involved investigating the potential for ion exchange reactions between ternary wurtzite-type oxides and halides/nitrates.

From Science Daily

The scientists included the effects of multiple cations in their model by developing 'learnable' SOAPs and predicted the IPs and EAs of ternary oxides using transfer learning.

From Science Daily

Songs in which the first section returns again at the end are known as ternary, three-part or ABA.

From Literature

First are “ternary” societies divided into functional classes — clergy, nobility and everyone else.

From New York Times

Related Words

• threefold