Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

triarchy

noun
tri·ar·chy | \ˈtrī-ˌär-kē \
plural triarchies

Definition of triarchy 

1 : government by three persons : triumvirate

2 : a country under three rulers

First Known Use of triarchy

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for triarchy

Greek triarchia, from tri- + -archia -archy

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about triarchy

Dictionary Entries near triarchy

trianon

triapsal

triarch

triarchy

Triarthrus

triarticulate

triaryl

Statistics for triarchy

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for triarchy

The first known use of triarchy was circa 1656

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on triarchy

See words that rhyme with triarchy

Comments on triarchy

What made you want to look up triarchy? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

mawkish

exaggeratedly or childishly emotional

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Roman Mythology Quiz

  • the-triumph-of-venus-by-alessandro-magnasco
  • Boreal comes from the name of the ancient Greek god of which wind?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games