trio

noun

ˈtrē-(ˌ)ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voice parts or three instruments

b

: the secondary or episodic division of a minuet or scherzo, a march, or of various dance forms

2

: the performers of a musical or dance trio

3

: a group or set of three

Synonyms of trio

• triad
• trinity
• trilogy
• triumvirate
• triplet

Examples of trio in a Sentence

He plays in a jazz trio.

the band was just a trio of musicians on piano, drums, and saxophone

Recent Examples on the Web

But when Fran discovers a magic tree after wandering into the woods, the trio experience a series of life-altering adventures. — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026

Down a third of its crew (and periodically appearing as a trio), the quartet-for-now seeks modern girl-group chart history while nagged by uncertainty and controversy that extends to their music. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

According to Baseball Reference and FanGraphs, that trio has accumulated more than half of Houston’s offensive WAR. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

The trio also recently relived their early years by returning to Disney’s Camp Rock franchise. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 21 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian from tri- (from Latin)

First Known Use

circa 1724, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for trio

• beau
• beaut
• beaux
• blow
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

trio

noun

ˈtrē-ō 

plural trios

1

a

: a musical composition for three voices or instruments

b

: the performers of a musical trio

2

: a group or set of three