triad
gb/tɹˈaɪˌæd/ us/tɹˈaɪˌæd/
B2
English
~ 9900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
C1
entity
1
a group of three related things
Three people or things that are linked and thought of as one group.
Usage pattern:
a triad of [things/people]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *triad* when *trio* is more natural for three people performing together (e.g. a band). Use *trio* for musical groups or small groups of people, and *triad* mainly for abstract groups of three ideas, roles, or elements. Learners also sometimes say 'a triad of three things', which is redundant; just say 'a triad of things'.
Synonyms
trio (Usually used for three people, especially performers; 'triad' is more formal or abstract.)
|
threesome (More informal and often has a sexual meaning; 'triad' is neutral and formal.)
Antonyms
pair (A group of two, contrasting with a group of three.)
Collocations
a triad of
|form a triad
|political triad
|power triad
|conceptual triad
|symbolic triad
Themes
numbers
|language
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The novel explores a triad of themes: love, power, and memory.
- Their leadership model is based on a triad of roles: visionary, manager, and coach.
- In many myths there is a divine triad representing birth, life, and death.
- We focused our research on a triad of cities that share similar histories.
- The project is guided by a triad of core values: honesty, inclusion, and curiosity.
Learner examples
- The teacher talked about a triad of ideas in the book.
- Our study looks at a triad of problems in the city.
- The company is run by a triad of managers.
- The plan has a triad of main goals.
- He drew a triad of circles on the board.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
three-note chord in music
In music, a chord made from three notes, usually the first, third, and fifth notes of a scale.
Usage pattern:
a [major/minor] triad
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse *triad* with *trio* and say things like 'a C trio' for a chord. Use *triad* for chords and *trio* for three performers. Some learners also think any three notes played together are a triad; in music theory, a triad has a specific structure of stacked thirds.
Synonyms
three-note chord (Descriptive phrase; less precise than 'triad', which implies a specific structure in thirds.)
Antonyms
dissonance (In some contexts, triads imply stable harmony; dissonance is the contrasting unstable or clashing sound.)
Collocations
major triad
|minor triad
|diminished triad
|augmented triad
|play a triad
|build a triad
Themes
music
|art
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- On the piano, play a C major triad in your right hand.
- The harmony of the piece is built almost entirely from simple triads.
- First we learn how to construct a triad from the root, then we invert it.
- The composer stacked triads to create a rich, modern sound.
- Understanding how a triad works is basic to learning tonal harmony.
Learner examples
- The guitar teacher shows us how to play a triad.
- A major triad sounds bright and happy.
- This song starts with a C triad.
- We practice moving one triad to another.
- She explains how to build a triad on each note.
Noun
B2
entity
3
Chinese organized crime group
A person in, or a group that is part of, a Chinese criminal organization called the Triads.
Usage pattern:
a Triad [member/gang]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write *triad* with a small 't' when talking about these specific crime groups; in many news and film contexts, *Triad* is capitalized when it refers to the organizations. Another mistake is using *Triad* for any mafia; it normally refers specifically to Chinese organized crime groups.
Synonyms
Chinese mafia (Informal and less precise; used to explain Triads to people unfamiliar with the term.)
Antonyms
law enforcement (Represents the opposing side of criminal organizations such as Triads.)
Collocations
Triad gang
|Triad member
|Triad boss
|Triad society
|Triad activity
|Triad-controlled
Themes
crime
|society
|law
Examples
- The film follows a young man who becomes involved with a Hong Kong Triad gang.
- Police believe the restaurant was being used as a front for Triad activity.
- Several Triad members were arrested in the joint operation.
- The story is set in the 1980s, when rival Triads fought for control of the city.
- He denied any links to Triad societies despite long-standing rumors.
Learner examples
- The movie shows a Triad gang in Hong Kong.
- Police arrested three Triad members last night.
- The bar was run by a local Triad boss.
- The Triads made money from illegal gambling.
- He is afraid of the Triads in his area.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
4
three symptoms that occur together
In medicine, three common signs or symptoms that usually appear together in a certain illness.
Usage pattern:
the classic triad of [symptoms]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *triad* here can mean any number of symptoms. In medical usage, it specifically means three. Another mistake is to say 'three triad of symptoms'; say either 'a triad of symptoms' or 'three symptoms', but not both together.
Synonyms
symptom cluster (General medical term; 'triad' is specific about the number three and often suggests a textbook combination.)
Antonyms
isolated symptom (A single symptom occurring alone, contrasting with a grouped triad of symptoms.)
Collocations
classic triad
|clinical triad
|triad of symptoms
|triad of signs
|diagnostic triad
|presenting triad
Themes
medicine
|science
|health
Examples
- The disease is classically described by a triad of symptoms: fever, rash, and joint pain.
- Only a minority of patients present with the full clinical triad at diagnosis.
- Doctors are trained to recognize this diagnostic triad in emergency cases.
- In children, the classic triad of signs is often incomplete.
- The study questioned how often the traditional triad actually appears in real-world practice.
Learner examples
- The textbook says the triad of symptoms is pain, fever, and cough.
- Many patients do not show the full triad of signs.
- Doctors look for a triad of problems in this illness.
- The triad helps the doctor find the right disease.
- He had only one part of the triad, so tests were needed.
Grammar
Expressions
a triad of
1/ə tɹˈaɪˌæd əv/
fixed phrase
introducing a group of three
Used before three related things to say they are one group.
Examples
- The report identifies a triad of major risks for the company.
- Their culture is built on a triad of values: respect, openness, and responsibility.
- She described a triad of challenges that young parents often face.
Chinese Triads
1/t͡ʃaɪnˈiz tɹˈaɪˌædz/
fixed phrase
Chinese organized crime organizations
Criminal groups from Chinese communities that are called the Triads.
Examples
- The documentary explores the history of the Chinese Triads in Hong Kong.
- Police say the Chinese Triads have moved many of their operations online.
- He wrote a novel about the rivalry between different Chinese Triads.
classic triad of symptoms
1/klˈæsɪk tɹˈaɪˌæd əv sˈɪmptəmz/
fixed phrase
technical
typical three-symptom pattern in disease
The three usual symptoms that doctors expect to see together in a certain illness.
Examples
- Only half of the patients showed the classic triad of symptoms described in textbooks.
- The classic triad of symptoms can help doctors recognize the condition quickly.
- In mild cases, the classic triad of symptoms may not all be present.
nuclear triad
1/nˈukliɚ tɹˈaɪˌæd/
fixed phrase
technical
three-part nuclear weapons system
A country's three main ways to launch nuclear weapons: from land, from submarines, and from airplanes.
Examples
- The country is investing heavily to modernize its nuclear triad.
- Analysts say a strong nuclear triad is central to the nation's defense strategy.
- Debate continues over whether all three legs of the nuclear triad are still necessary.