TRIAD

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does triad mean? 

• TRIAD (noun)
  The noun TRIAD has 4 senses:

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

2. a set of three similar things considered as a unit

3. three people considered as a unit

4. a three-note major or minor chord; a note and its third and fifth tones

  Familiarity information: TRIAD used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TRIAD (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

3; deuce-ace; III; leash; tercet; ternary; ternion; terzetto; three; threesome; tierce; trey; triad; trine; trinity; trio; triplet; troika

Hypernyms ("triad" is a kind of...):

digit; figure (one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A set of three similar things considered as a unit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

triad; trio; triple; triplet

Hypernyms ("triad" is a kind of...):

set (a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "triad"):

trilogy (a set of three literary or dramatic works related in subject or theme)

trigon; triplicity ((astrology) one of four groups of the zodiac where each group consists of three signs separated from each other by 120 degrees)

Instance hyponyms:

Trimurti (the triad of divinities of later Hinduism)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Three people considered as a unit

Classified under:

Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects

Synonyms:

threesome; triad; trinity; trio

Hypernyms ("triad" is a kind of...):

assemblage; gathering (a group of persons together in one place)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "triad"):

triumvirate (a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A three-note major or minor chord; a note and its third and fifth tones

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

common chord; triad

Hypernyms ("triad" is a kind of...):

chord (a combination of three or more notes that blend harmoniously when sounded together)

 Context examples 

Carney triad is most common in young females.

(Carney triad, NCI Dictionary)

It includes the hepatic lobules, hepatic sinusoids, perisinusoidal spaces, and portal triad.

(Hepatic Tissue, NCI Thesaurus)