tetralogy

noun

te·​tral·​o·​gy te-ˈträ-lə-jē  -ˈtra- 

plural tetralogies

1

: a series of four connected works (such as operas or novels)

2

: a group of four dramatic pieces presented consecutively on the Attic stage at the Dionysiac festival

Did you know?

The original tetralogies were sets of four plays (three tragedies and a comedy) performed serially on the Athenian stages of ancient Greece. These sets of plays were similar to the "trilogy," a group of three serial Greek tragedies. The word tetralogy is from the Greek combining form tetra-, meaning "four," joined with the combining form "-logia," which in turn comes from logos, meaning "word." Other "tetra-" words include "tetrahedron" (a solid shape formed by four flat faces) and "tetrapod" (a vertebrate with two pairs of limbs).

Examples of tetralogy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The final chapter of the original trilogy (well, tetralogy) might be the most exhilarating, wasting no time before driving straight into action. —Kelly Martinez Published, EW.com, 5 July 2025

At the age of 20 years old, Dominique Barnes gave birth to her son Phoenix in 2016, who was born with multiple congenital heart defects including tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary atresia, and major aorto-pulmonary collateral arteries. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025

The film will be directed by Francis Lawrence, who returns after helming the original tetralogy, in which Woody Harrelson played a grownup Haymitch. —Jack Smart, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Development will begin with the first book in the series, Lonesome Dove, followed by the rest of the tetralogy, including Streets of Laredo, Dead Man’s Walk and Comanche Moon. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek tetralogia, from tetra- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for tetralogy

• analogy

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