triptych

noun

trip·​tych ˈtrip-(ˌ)tik 

1

a

: a picture (such as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side

b

: something composed or presented in three parts or sections

especially : trilogy

2

: an ancient Roman writing tablet with three waxed leaves hinged together

Did you know?

Triptych Has Greek Roots

A painted or carved triptych typically has three hinged panels, and the two outer panels can be folded in towards the central one. A literary or musical triptych generally consists of three closely related or contrasting themes or parts. Triptych derives from the Greek triptychos ("having three folds"), formed by combining tri- ("three") and ptychē ("fold" or "layer"). Although triptych originally described a specific type of Roman writing tablet that had three hinged sections, it is not surprising that the idea was generalized first to a type of painting, and then to anything composed of three parts.

Examples of triptych in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Atlanta, the SCAD FASH exhibition features some 75 looks, including ephemera from André’s home and rare archival photographs — arranged in a triptych of time and tone of red, white and black. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 13 Dec. 2025

Art market looks to the past Stung by losses on contemporary art, collectors are increasingly looking backward for quality and value, as demonstrated by the sale of a 15th-century triptych by an unidentified Flemish artist for nearly $8 million last week. —semafor.com, 8 Dec. 2025

It’s told in the form of a triptych and divided into chapters set in New Jersey, Dublin, and Paris; each story concerns the relationships between adult children, their somewhat distant parent (or parents), and one another other. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 Nov. 2025

Predator: Killer of Killers is a triptych comprising a Viking revenge film, a chanbara film, and a World War II dogfight film that leads to a superior version of the Petranaki arena sequence in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. —Andy Crump, Time, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek triptychos having three folds, from tri- + ptychē fold

First Known Use

1731, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for triptych

• cryptic
• diptych
• styptic
• tryptic
• apocalyptic
• ecliptic
• elliptic

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