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

Both the novel and movie chronicle the infamous 50th Hunger Games tournament that took place decades before the events of the original trilogy that starred Jennifer Lawrence as victor turned revolutionist Katniss Everdeen. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 May 2025

However, in the third and final film of the trilogy, 2019's Rise of Skywalker, Kylo strives for redemption after killing his father and abandons the Kylo Ren identity. —Mekishana Pierre Published, EW.com, 15 May 2025

Anyone who watched Rogue One knows that Cassian dies; anyone who watched the sequel trilogy knows that an oppressive regime rises again. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025

The streamer has just greenlit Your Fault: London and Our Fault: London, meaning the trilogy will be complete in English as well as Spanish. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 May 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