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

The name shot back to popularity with the release of the most recent Star Wars trilogy in 2015—the central heroine of the franchise is named Rey. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 23 Sep. 2024

The now-famous Christopher Nolan trilogy kicks off with 2005's Batman Begins, which features the origin story of Christian Bale's Batman. —Rebecca Aizin, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2024

The final film in that trilogy, Spider-Man: No Way Home, became the third highest grossing film in US history. —Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 18 Sep. 2024

Trending on Billboard Hurry Up Tomorrow is the third and final installment in Tesfaye’s After Hours and Dawn FM trilogy. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Sep. 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