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

George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts and Matt Damon were among the stars of Soderbergh’s film trilogy that concluded with 2007’s Ocean’s Thirteen. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 30 June 2026

The films are widely credited for reigniting the YA romantic comedy genre and proving that streaming platforms could build trilogies. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 29 June 2026

The first part in the trilogy is all about showing Bane preparing to put Gotham through the ringer in order to break Batman. — Rafael Motamayor, Variety, 24 June 2026

Sir Render functions as a prequel to Navy Blue’s previous two LPs, 2024’s Memoirs in Armour, and 2025’s The Sword & the Soaring, forming a trilogy after Def Jam cut him from their roster. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 24 June 2026

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