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 of trio

• triad
• trinity
• trilogy
• triumvirate
• triplet

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

Amerson owns a trio of Wilson jerseys and 14 pairs of A’One signature shoes, which Nike released, at long last, this spring. —Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025

Prog-metal trio Animals as Leaders will open. —Brian McCollum, Freep.com, 10 Dec. 2025

City follows the everyday stories of a trio of university students and an ensemble cast around them, all divided into bite-size chapters that follow specific characters in the urban community. —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2025

Of course, this trio of more refined tourists picked a more interesting place than the gelato-order family did. —Francesco Pacifico, The Dial, 9 Dec. 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