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

Produced by Bogdan Craciun, Point Film The final instalment in a film trilogy about the relationship between the individual and freedom by high-profile Romanian film mogul and director Giurgiu. —Annika Pham, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025

Plus, the final chapter of the Spanish Culpa movie trilogy for Prime Video, Culpa Nuestra, is coming out. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2025

Keaton was known for her roles in The Godfather trilogy as well as Manhattan and The First Wives Club. —Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Oct. 2025

Brad Winderbaum, the head of Marvel TV, confirmed to attendees that the show will be the third part of the trilogy started by series creator Jac Schaeffer with WandaVision and Agatha All Along. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 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