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

This is part of the Brooklyn label’s cologne trio launched in 2025, all three of which stand out for their own right reasons. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2025

Tyler Smith, Beebe and Booker make for a hell of an interior offensive line trio. —Derrik Klassen, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025

Departures are part of the cutthroat sports business, but this trio of goodbyes is likely to linger with fans for a long time. —Johnny Resendiz, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

The unit, with nose tackle Bobby Brown making a trio of early run stops, forced a pair of early punts from the home team. —Charlotte Observer, 15 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