noun
Uncommon
trident
TREYE-duhnt
Trident (noun) means a spear with three prongs, similar to a pitchfork. Example: “Statues of the sea god Poseidon often show him holding a trident.”
noun
1
A spear with three prongs, similar to a pitchfork.
"Statues of the sea god Poseidon often show him holding a trident."
name
1
The UK's submarine-launched nuclear missile system.
"Parliament debated whether to renew the Trident programme."
How to use trident
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA three-pronged spear — or, capitalized, the name of a British nuclear weapons system.
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Word forms
- Plural
- tridents
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Statues of the sea god Poseidon often show him holding a _____.
Etymology
From Latin tridens, combining tri- ("three") and dens ("tooth").
Rhymes for trident
See all rhymes for trident →Frequently asked questions
What does “trident” mean?
The word “trident” means a spear with three prongs, similar to a pitchfork. In plain terms, a three-pronged spear — or, capitalized, the name of a British nuclear weapons system.
How do you pronounce “trident”?
“Trident” is pronounced TREYE-duhnt (/ˈtɹaɪ̯dənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “trident” in a sentence?
Here is “trident” used in a sentence: “Statues of the sea god Poseidon often show him holding a trident.”
What part of speech is “trident”?
Depending on how it is used, “trident” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “trident” come from?
The word “trident” comes from Latin. From Latin tridens, combining tri- ("three") and dens ("tooth").
Is “trident” a common word?
“Trident” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “trident” have?
“Trident” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spear with three prongs, similar to a pitchfork.
