Dictionary

triad

noun tri·ad \ˈtrī-ˌad also -əd\

: a group of three usually related people or things

: a secret Chinese criminal organization

Full Definition of TRIAD

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
tri·ad·ic \trī-ˈa-dik\ adjective
tri·ad·i·cal·ly \-di-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
ADVERTISEMENT

Origin of TRIAD

Latin triad-, trias, from Greek, from treis three
First Known Use: 1546
TRIADIC Defined for Kids

triad

noun tri·ad \ˈtrī-ˌad\

Definition of TRIAD for Kids

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

triad

noun tri·ad \ˈtrī-ˌad also -əd\

Medical Definition of TRIAD

1
:  a union or group of three <a triad of symptoms>
2
:  a trivalent element, atom, or radical
tri·ad·ic \trī-ˈad-ik\ adjective

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: triadelphousPrevious Word in the Dictionary: triactinalAll Words Near: triad
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears