trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtri-lə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three dramas or literary works or sometimes three musical compositions that are closely related and develop a single theme

Did you know?

Dozens of tragic trilogies were written for the Greek stage, though only one, Aeschylus's great Oresteia (consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, *and *The Eumenides), has survived complete. Authors in later years have occasionally chosen to create trilogies to allow themselves to develop a highly complex story or cover a long span of time. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings wasn't actually intended as a trilogy, but since it was published in three volumes it's usually called one. George Lucas's three original Star Wars movies are an example of a film trilogy (which he followed many years later by another).

Examples of trilogy in a Sentence

the last book in the trilogy

Recent Examples on the Web

At one point in his new A24 thriller Heretic, the actor, 64, does an impression of Jar Jar Binks, the character made famous by Ahmed Best in the space-opera franchise's prequel trilogy beginning with 1999's Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace. —Jen Juneau, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

The trilogy was directed by Zemeckis and written by Bob Gale, and both have been steadfast in their disavowal of further Back to the Future projects. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024

So far, the third and final entry in Sony’s alien symbiote comic book trilogy has grossed $317.1 million globally, including $227 million internationally and $90 million domestically. —Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024

At 95% on Rotten Tomatoes with 20 reviews. Documentaries: Icarus films presents Youth (Hard Times) and Youth (Homecoming) – parts 2 & 3 of Wang Bing’s iconic verité trilogy – at the Metrograph in NYC on November 1 and November 8, respectively. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek trilogia, from tri- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtril-ə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three literary, dramatic, or musical works that are closely related and develop a single theme