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

Unlike in mainland China, Hong Kong runs on a common-law system, which means a jury will decide whether the trio should be found guilty ofChoi’s murder and of preventing the lawful burial of her body. — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 21 Sep. 2026

In August, Andrew Zhang and Ayush Maini attempted to take all four MARTA lines to all 38 rail stations in under 3 hours, 21 minutes and 37 seconds — the previous Guinness World Record set by a Chicago trio this January. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Ines takes a shine to both women, and the time the trio spends together, like the time the pincher and Sol shared in the first half of the book, forms a temporary idyll. — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

And if the trio’s individual track records are any indication, the potential is high. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 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