triad

noun

tri·​ad ˈtrī-ˌad 

 also  -əd

1

: a union or group of three : trinity

2

: a chord of three tones consisting of a root with its third and fifth and constituting the harmonic basis of tonal music

triadic

trī-ˈa-dik 

adjective

triadically

trī-ˈa-di-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

The best-known type of triad is a type of musical chord consisting of three notes. A D-major triad is made up of the notes D, F-sharp, and A; an F-minor triad is made up of F, A-flat, and C; and so on. Major and minor triads form the basis of tonal music, and songs and other pieces usually end with a triadic harmony. In medicine, a triad is a set of three symptoms that go together. The Chinese criminal organizations called triads got their name from the triangular symbol that they used back when they began, centuries ago, as patriotic organizations. Today, with over 100,000 members, the triads operate in the U.S., Canada, and many other countries.

Synonyms

• threesome
• trifecta
• trinity
• trio
• triple
• triplet
• triumvirate

Example Sentences

a triad of candlesticks on the mantel

Recent Examples on the Web

Confidentiality, integrity and availability are the three core areas of the CIA triad. —Steve Grewal, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021

Scientific progress is intertwined with the triad of the state, the scientist, and the citizen, all of which are emphasized in the field of citizen science. —Guest, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2019

The 25-year-old beauty mogul posted a series of shots to Instagram of herself relaxing in a bikini — which despite its tiny size, packed a visual wallop with its triad of neon shades and a liberal application of sparkling crystals. —Wendy Geller, Peoplemag, 6 Feb. 2023

Overseeing succession, strategy and financial performance were the board’s traditional triad. —David Meyer, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2021

Half presented the classical triad of audible crack, detumescence, and pain. —Seriously Science, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2016

But his Derby Date Pie was my favorite, adding dates to the triad of pecans, chocolate and bourbon to sweeten it with a gooey, caramel sweetness that fits the dessert perfectly. —Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2022

The whole apparatus hangs on a thin concrete spine, topped by a triad of steel pins that reach far beyond the roof. —Curbed, 10 Nov. 2022

In recent years, former Popovich pupils Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili have been inducted and Parker is the final player from the Spurs triad on the ballot. —Gary Washburn, BostonGlobe.com, 24 Dec. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Latin triad-, trias, from Greek, from treis three

First Known Use

1546, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triad

noun

tri·​ad ˈtrī-ˌad 

 also  -əd

1

: a union or group of three usually closely related persons or things

2

: a chord made up usually of the first, third, and fifth notes of a scale

triadic

trī-ˈad-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

triad

noun

tri·​ad

ˈtrī-ˌad also -əd

1

: a union or group of three

a triad of symptoms

2

: a trivalent element, atom, or radical

triadic

trī-ˈad-ik 

adjective