noun
Uncommon
triad
TREYE-ad
Triad (noun) means a group or set of three closely related people or things. Example: “The report focused on the triad of housing, healthcare, and education.”
noun
1
A group or set of three closely related people or things.
"The report focused on the triad of housing, healthcare, and education."
2
(music) A chord made up of three notes: a root note plus the third and fifth above it.
"The song opens with a simple major triad."
3
A Chinese organized-crime society, historically based in Hong Kong.
"The film dramatizes conflict between rival triads."
How to use triad
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA set of three related things, a three-note musical chord, or (capitalized in context) a Chinese crime organization.
Common pairings
major triad
a triad of factors
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Word forms
- Plural
- triads
Fill the gap
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The report focused on the _____ of housing, healthcare, and education.
Etymology
From Latin trias, ultimately from Greek trias, "a group of three." The criminal-society sense comes from British colonial officials in Hong Kong naming underground societies after a triangular symbol some of them used.
Related words
Rhymes for triad
See all rhymes for triad →Frequently asked questions
What does “triad” mean?
The word “triad” means a group or set of three closely related people or things. In plain terms, a set of three related things, a three-note musical chord, or (capitalized in context) a Chinese crime organization.
How do you pronounce “triad”?
“Triad” is pronounced TREYE-ad (/ˈtɹaɪ.æd/ in IPA).
How do you use “triad” in a sentence?
Here is “triad” used in a sentence: “The report focused on the triad of housing, healthcare, and education.”
What part of speech is “triad”?
“Triad” is a noun.
Where does the word “triad” come from?
The word “triad” comes from Latin. From Latin trias, ultimately from Greek trias, "a group of three." The criminal-society sense comes from British colonial officials in Hong Kong naming underground societies after a triangular symbol some of them used.
Is “triad” a common word?
“Triad” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “triad” have?
“Triad” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group or set of three closely related people or things.
