triplet

noun

trip·​let ˈtri-plət 

plural triplets

1

: one of three offspring produced in the same pregnancy

2

a

: a combination, set, or group of three

b

: a group of three elementary particles (such as positive, negative, and neutral pions) with different charge states but otherwise similar properties

c

: an atom or molecule with an even number of electrons that have a net magnetic moment

d

: codon

3

: a group of three musical notes, tones, or beats performed in the time of two of the same value

4

: a unit of three lines of verse

Synonyms

• trio
• triad

Examples of triplet in a Sentence

the theater piece is actually a triplet of comedy sketches, all of them having romantic love as their theme

Recent Examples on the Web

But eighteen years later, in a world transformed by climate change, her triplet daughters discover her apocalypse guide… and clues that their mother might still be alive. —Natalie Zutter august 1, Literary Hub, 1 Aug. 2025

Baryons are all built from triplets of even smaller particles called quarks. —Clara Moskowitz, Scientific American, 16 July 2025

The 2018 documentary dug into the story of triplet brothers who were intentionally (and unknowingly) separated at birth as part of an unethical experiment exploring nature versus nurture. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 8 July 2025

Show more And on Monday, hospital staff accomplished a minor medical feat: doctors birthed triplets in a cesarean section procedure that the delivering physician said would have been complicated and risky even in the best of times. —Nbc News, NBC news, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

triple entry 2

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Kids Definition

triplet

noun

trip·​let ˈtrip-lət 

1

: a unit of three lines of verse

2

: a combination, set, or group of three

3

: one of three children or offspring born at one birth

4

: a group of three notes played in the time of two of the same value

Medical Definition

triplet

noun

trip·​let ˈtrip-lət 

1

a

: a combination, set, or group of three

b

: an atom or molecule with an even number of electrons that have a net magnetic moment

c

: codon

2

a

: one of three children or offspring born at one birth

b

triplets plural : a group of three offspring born at one birth

3

: a combination of three lenses