trio

[ tree-oh ]

noun

, plural tri·os.

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

And no one expected a trio at this point.

From Los Angeles Times

The trio stole the show, with Harden rushing for 125 yards in 20 carries, Jones contributing 38 and Berger adding 30 yards.

From Los Angeles Times

The trio were hugely impressive in the team's age-grade World Cup win in the summer, with set-piece dominance splintering France in the final.

From BBC

But so, in a surprisingly different way, did three more mainstream L.A. opera companies that recently presented a trio of mid-19th century operas.

From Los Angeles Times

We float around the room like an invisible spider, circling and weaving this trio into a diabolical web.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• threesome
• trilogy
• triumvirate