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

Years of degrading the Star Wars legacy with terrible, unwatchable streaming series and the disappointing end of the previous trilogy have taken their toll. —Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026

The film has the highest Rotten Tomatoes audience score in Disney Star Wars history, above both the new trilogy, the underperforming Solo (which it is now being compared to), and even the fan-beloved Rogue One. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Anne’s ring from Mark was one of the more unconventional engagement rings of its era, and Sperling’s diamond trilogy engagement ring bears a striking resemblance in structure to Anne’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring, according to jeweler Nilesh Rakholia. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 May 2026

Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer. —Joe Otterson, Variety, 28 May 2026

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