A Triad Is a Group of Three
A triad is any set of three. The word names a basic musical chord and, separately, a Chinese criminal organisation.
A triad is a group or set of three. In music it is the fundamental building block of Western harmony: three notes stacked in thirds, and whether the middle note sits a major or minor third above the root decides whether the chord sounds bright or sad. Almost all Western music is built from these. The Chinese criminal societies called triads take the name from a triangular emblem representing heaven, earth and humanity.
- A group of three. *A triad of causes.*
- A three-note chord. *A major triad.*
- A criminal society. *The triads.*
- Trio — a musical group of three. *A trio.*
- Greek — *trias*, three. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | triad | A triad. |
| Plural | triads | Triads. |
| Adjective | triadic | Triadic. |
| Related | trio | A trio. |
| Greek | trias | A group of three. |
- The C major triad is C, E and G.Music.
- A triad of related problems.Grouping.
- The name comes from a triangular emblem.History.
The four kinds of triad
- Major — bright, a major third then a minor third
- Minor — darker, a minor third then a major third
- Diminished — unstable, two minor thirds
- Augmented — unsettled, two major thirds
- All four are three notes stacked in thirds
Late Latin *trias*, from Greek *trias*, a group of three, from *treis*, three.
What makes a triad major or minor?
The middle note. A major third above the root gives a major triad, a minor third gives a minor one.
Why are Chinese criminal societies called triads?
From a triangular emblem representing heaven, earth and humanity, used by some of the original societies.