English Reference
Noun

triplet

n. countable
C1 Advanced US /ˈtɹɪpɫət/ UK /tɹˈɪplət/ triplet UK spelling triplet's, triplet's Music Physics

n.a group of three things that are connected or similar. In music, it means playing three notes in the time of two.

n.a set of three related items or a sequence of three notes performed in the time of two. Often used in technical contexts like genetics or physics to describe a specific three-part structure.


SIMPLE

The pianist played a triplet in the left hand.

CONTEXTUAL

The composer used a triplet to create a sense of urgency in the final movement of the symphony.

COMPLEX

In genetic coding, a triplet of nucleotides determines a specific amino acid, forming the fundamental basis for protein synthesis within the cell.


PIE word *tréyes From triple + -et.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated