Word forms: plural triadslanguage note: The spelling Triad is also used for meaning [sense 1].
1. countable noun [usually plural, oft NOUN noun]
The Triads were Chinese secret societies in old China.
...gangs, known as the Triads.
2. countable noun
A triad is a group of three similar things.
[formal]
For the faculty, there exists the triad of responsibilities: teaching, research,and service. [+ of]
Synonyms: threesome, triple, trio, trinity More Synonyms of triad
triad in British English
(ˈtraɪæd)
noun
1.
a group of three; trio
2. chemistry
an atom, element, group, or ion that has a valency of three
3. music
a three-note chord consisting of a note and the third and fifth above it
4.
an aphoristic literary form used in medieval Welsh and Irish literature
5.
the US strategic nuclear force, consisting of intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and bombers
Derived forms
triadic (triˈadic)
adjective
triadism (ˈtriadism)
noun
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin trias, from Greek; related to Greek treis three
Triad in British English
(ˈtraɪæd)
noun
any of several Chinese secret societies, esp one involved in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking
triad in American English
(ˈtraɪˌæd)
noun
1.
a group of three persons, things, ideas, etc.; trinity
2.
a musical chord of three tones, esp. one consisting of a root tone and its third and fifth: a triad with a major third and perfect fifth is called a major triad; a triad with a minor third and perfect fifth is called a minor triad
Derived forms
triadic (triˈadic)
adjective
Word origin
< LL trias (gen. triadis) < Gr trias (gen. triados) < treis, three
Examples of 'triad' in a sentence
triad
He surely had the dark triad complex, with all its flaws.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A proportion would score highly on the dark triad rating system.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The tweet came a day after he held a meeting with air force generals expected to cover the modernisation of the US nuclear triad.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
(noun)
Definition
a group of three
the triad of responsibilities: teaching, research and service
Synonyms
threesome
We often all go out as a threesome.
triple
trio
classy songs from a Texas trio
trinity
The hotel is owned by a trinity of Japanese corporations.
trilogy
triplet
a triplet of spiral galaxies
triumvirate
triptych
trine
triune
Additional synonyms
in the sense of trinity
Definition
a group of three people or things
The hotel is owned by a trinity of Japanese corporations.