trio

noun

ˈtrē-(ˌ)ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voice parts or three instruments

b

: the secondary or episodic division of a minuet or scherzo, a march, or of various dance forms

2

: the performers of a musical or dance trio

3

: a group or set of three

Synonyms

• threesome
• triad
• trifecta
• trinity
• triple
• triplet
• triumvirate

Examples of trio in a Sentence

He plays in a jazz trio.

the band was just a trio of musicians on piano, drums, and saxophone

Recent Examples on the Web

Lady Gaga claims a trio of hits in the United Kingdom this week. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

After revealing earlier this month that there were three top contenders for the most powerful creative job in British television, audio, and streaming, Deadline hears one of the trio is now not in the running. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 22 May 2025

Currently in early development, the film will retain the core dynamic of the iconic trio while exploring new genre territory. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2025

Saturn will be the dimmest of the trio, but still visible. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian from tri- (from Latin)

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for trio

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

trio

noun

ˈtrē-ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voices or instruments

b

: the performers of a musical trio

2

: a group or set of three