triad

noun

tri·​ad ˈtrī-ˌad 

 also  -əd

1

: a union or group of three : trinity

2

: a chord of three tones consisting of a root with its third and fifth and constituting the harmonic basis of tonal music

triadic

trī-ˈa-dik 

adjective

triadically

trī-ˈa-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The best-known type of triad is a type of musical chord consisting of three notes. A D-major triad is made up of the notes D, F-sharp, and A; an F-minor triad is made up of F, A-flat, and C; and so on. Major and minor triads form the basis of tonal music, and songs and other pieces usually end with a triadic harmony. In medicine, a triad is a set of three symptoms that go together. The Chinese criminal organizations called triads got their name from the triangular symbol that they used back when they began, centuries ago, as patriotic organizations. Today, with over 100,000 members, the triads operate in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries.

Synonyms

• threesome
• trifecta
• trinity
• trio
• triple
• triplet
• triumvirate

Examples of triad in a Sentence

a triad of candlesticks on the mantel

Recent Examples on the Web

Where's the Pardon for Thousands of Black Men Locked Up for What Hunter Did Biden Pardoning Hunter Proves Being a Biden Is a Get Out of Jail Free Card But the Bondi, Patel, Hegseth triad—if it gets assembled—shouldn't be too confident about lawlessly going lawfare nuclear. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2024

Many of today’s Space Force leaders began their careers as Air Force Officers, managing critical components of the nuclear triad. —Charles Beames, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024

The challenge now is how to replace the legs of the triad simultaneously—a huge undertaking. —Madelyn Creedon, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2024

Elsewhere, Sofia unknowingly sets her own trap — offering up her entire remaining operation to whoever from the triads and other gangs will bring her Oz first. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin triad-, trias, from Greek, from treis three

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triad

noun

tri·​ad ˈtrī-ˌad 

 also  -əd

1

: a union or group of three usually closely related persons or things

2

: a chord made up usually of the first, third, and fifth notes of a scale

triadic

trī-ˈad-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

triad

noun

tri·​ad

ˈtrī-ˌad also -əd

1

: a union or group of three

a triad of symptoms

2

: a trivalent element, atom, or radical

triadic

trī-ˈad-ik 

adjective