noun
Common
trinity
TRIH-nih-tee
Trinity (noun) means a group of three closely connected people or things treated as a single unit. Example: “Reading, writing and arithmetic make up the trinity of basic schooling.”
noun
1
A group of three closely connected people or things treated as a single unit.
"Reading, writing and arithmetic make up the trinity of basic schooling."
"The chef called salt, fat and acid the trinity of good cooking."
"Speed, agility, and strength form the trinity of a great athlete."
2
In Christian theology, the union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God (capitalized).
"Many churches teach that the Trinity is one God in three persons."
"The theology student wrote an essay about how the Trinity is understood."
"The sermon explained the doctrine of the Trinity."
How to use trinity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThree things united as one — capitalized, it refers specifically to the Christian idea of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
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Word forms
- Plural
- trinities
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Reading, writing and arithmetic make up the _____ of basic schooling.
Etymology
From Latin trinitas ("group of three"), from trini ("three each"); it displaced the native Old English word thrines.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for trinity
See all rhymes for trinity →Frequently asked questions
What does “trinity” mean?
The word “trinity” means a group of three closely connected people or things treated as a single unit. In plain terms, three things united as one — capitalized, it refers specifically to the Christian idea of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
How do you pronounce “trinity”?
“Trinity” is pronounced TRIH-nih-tee (/ˈtɹɪnɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “trinity” in a sentence?
Here is “trinity” used in a sentence: “Speed, agility, and strength form the trinity of a great athlete.”
What part of speech is “trinity”?
“Trinity” is a noun.
Where does the word “trinity” come from?
The word “trinity” comes from Latin. From Latin trinitas ("group of three"), from trini ("three each"); it displaced the native Old English word thrines.
Is “trinity” a common word?
“Trinity” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “trinity” have?
“Trinity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a group of three closely connected people or things treated as a single unit.
What is the difference between trinity and trio?
Both refer to a set of three, but trinity stresses three things closely connected and treated as a single unit, and is often more formal or religious. Trio is the more everyday word, especially for three musicians or performers.
What is the difference between trinity and triad?
A triad is simply any group of three, often used in technical or musical contexts. Trinity emphasizes three parts bound together as one whole, and with a capital T it names the Christian union of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
When is Trinity capitalized?
Trinity takes a capital T when it names the Christian doctrine of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God. When it means any group of three treated as a single unit, it is written with a lowercase t.
Can trinity be used outside religion?
Yes. Beyond Christian theology, trinity can describe any group of three closely connected people or things treated as one, such as a trinity of skills, virtues, or leaders.
