trichotomy

noun

tri·​chot·​o·​my trī-ˈkä-tə-mē How to pronounce trichotomy (audio)
plural trichotomies
: division into three parts, elements, or classes

Examples of trichotomy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This trichotomy of smiles isn’t an entirely new idea, having been proposed by some of the current authors back in 2010. Neuroskeptic, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2017 The linguistic trichotomy also lent itself to a narrative of three migrations. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2012 The Nordic, Mediterranean, and Alpine trichotomy of the European peoples had only marginally more concrete reality than the division between the Vanyar, Noldor, and Teleri. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 22 Sep. 2010

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trichotomy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trichotomy was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near trichotomy

Cite this Entry

“Trichotomy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trichotomy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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