trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtri-lə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three dramas or literary works or sometimes three musical compositions that are closely related and develop a single theme

Did you know?

Dozens of tragic trilogies were written for the Greek stage, though only one, Aeschylus's great Oresteia (consisting of Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, *and *The Eumenides), has survived complete. Authors in later years have occasionally chosen to create trilogies to allow themselves to develop a highly complex story or cover a long span of time. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings wasn't actually intended as a trilogy, but since it was published in three volumes it's usually called one. George Lucas's three original Star Wars movies are an example of a film trilogy (which he followed many years later by another).

Examples of trilogy in a Sentence

the last book in the trilogy

Recent Examples on the Web

The dark side of the Force shows its true power in the prequel trilogy’s conclusion, as the Republic crumbles and Emperor Palpatine rises to take its place. —Katie Rife, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Nov. 2025

The very entertaining film stars Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit), Katherine Waterston (The Fantastic Beasts trilogy), Emma Laird (The Brutalist), Tom Felton (starring on Broadway in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), and Damian Lewis. —Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 Nov. 2025

The 'Maracoor' Trilogy The Maracoor trilogy begins with The Brides of Maracoor, the first in Maguire’s new Another Day series and a spin-off of the Wicked Years. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2025

Hollywood loves the rule of three, so has there been any talk of turning Family Plan into a trilogy? —Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 29 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek trilogia, from tri- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

circa 1661, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

trilogy

noun

tril·​o·​gy ˈtril-ə-jē 

plural trilogies

: a series of three literary, dramatic, or musical works that are closely related and develop a single theme