troika

noun

troi·​ka ˈtrȯi-kə 

1

: a Russian vehicle drawn by three horses abreast

also : a team for such a vehicle

2

: a group of three

especially : an administrative or ruling body of three

Examples of troika in a Sentence

A troika of countries signed the agreement.

Recent Examples on the Web

Article 111 of Iran’s constitution, which is modelled on French and Belgian law, calls for a troika—made up of the President, the judiciary chief, and a cleric from the Guardian Council—to assume the duties of the leader if he is incapacitated or dismissed. —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 23 June 2025

In addition to the above troika, shortstop Joseph Fenlon had a pair of hits, scored twice and drove in a run. —Dave Wright, Twin Cities, 12 June 2025

In addition, establishing a permanent secretariat would provide the G-7 with an administrative home, regular staff support for the troika and the related task forces, and an archive for G-7 deliverables. —Victor Cha, Foreign Affairs, 11 June 2025

European leaders had tried to guide Trump in the days before Zelenskyy arrived, but Trump is wedded to his demented dream of a troika of strongmen — himself, Putin and Xi Jinping — astride the world. —Maureen Dowd, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Russian troĭka, from troe three; akin to Old English thrīe three

First Known Use

1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for troika

• dendroica
• perestroika