triennial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triennial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event that occurs every three years. Example: "The triennial conference on climate change will take place next year in Paris."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We are transforming the ACTU into a permanent campaigning organisation so that unions can campaign on the issues that matter to working people – whether it's job security, universal healthcare and high-quality education or making sure that companies pay their fair share of tax," said ACTU secretary, Dave Oliver, as the union peak body prepares for its triennial national congress, starting Tuesday.

The Guardian

The next triennial review is in 2015.

The Economist

In Sweden Jan Bjorklund, the education minister, is prepared for poor marks too.The triennial study by the OECD, a think-tank, measures the reading, maths and science proficiency of 15-year-olds.

The Economist

(Rosenberg) Galleries: Uptown Luis Molina-Pantin: 'MOperandi'andi' (through Aug. 17) Luis Molina-Pantin's photographs of Disneyesque drug-baron mansions in Colombia are standouts in the International Center of Photography's terrific 2013 triennial.

The New York Times - Arts

At this year's Kumbh Mela, a triennial gathering of tens of millions of Hindus, Lifebuoy seared its hand-washing slogan into unleavened rotis, the pilgrims' staple.Empire gave brands "the ability to get global quickly", notes Robert Opie, a consumer historian whose collection forms the basis of the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising.

The Economist

But despite lower volumes, 19% less than three years ago, London remains the world's leading marketplace for currency trading, with nearly a third of global turnover being booked there, according to a triennial survey by the Bank for International Settlements BISS).

The Economist

Mr Briggs's rent went up by 38% in its latest triennial review, curbing the number of fields he could afford to convert to a combination of trees and crops.

The Economist

The latest round of data from the triennial Survey of Consumer Finances reveals that real, median household wealth in 2010 was just below its 1989 value.

The Economist

So pre-school is no panacea, says Andreas Schleicher, who oversees the OECD's big triennial PISA report on educational attainment.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Newer talents on show included Charles Avery, whose work was featured in this year's Tate Triennial, Hurvin Anderson, who had an Art Now show at Tate Britain earlier this year and Bob and Roberta Smith – in real life a single person and the artist behind last year's Tate Britain Christmas Tree.

Independent

COOPER-HEWITT NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM Fifth Ave .at 91st St. (212-849-8300) — "DesigNowife National Design Triennialnnial 2006".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing recurring events, ensure clarity by specifying the starting point or reference year for the "triennial" cycle to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "triennial" interchangeably with "biennial". "Triennial" refers to events happening every three years, while "biennial" indicates events occurring every two years. Using the wrong term can cause confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "triennial" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that something occurs every three years or lasts for three years. Ludwig confirms the word is correct and usable. For example, in "triennial elections", it describes the frequency of the elections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "triennial" functions as an adjective denoting a three-year interval or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically sound and commonly used. It frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While synonyms like "every three years" exist, "triennial" offers a concise alternative, especially in formal writing. A key point to remember is to avoid confusing "triennial" with "biennial", which refers to a two-year interval.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every three years

Expresses the same frequency as "triennial" using simpler language.

occurring every three years

Similar to "every three years" but uses a more formal phrasing.

three-yearly

A less common but direct synonym of "triennial".

lasting three years

Focuses on the duration aspect of something that is "triennial".

recurring every three years

Highlights the repeating nature of an event.

three-year interval

Highlights the specific period between events.

every third year

Emphasizes the ordinal position of the year in the cycle.

spaced three years apart

Describes the arrangement of events with a "triennial" frequency.

biannual and annual cycle

Contrasts "triennial" with other common periodicities.

quatercentennial

Describes a 4-year period, less frequent than "triennial".

FAQs

How do I use "triennial" in a sentence?

You can use "triennial" to describe events that occur every three years. For example: "The organization holds a "triennial conference" to discuss new developments in the field".

What's the difference between "triennial" and "biennial"?

"Triennial" refers to something that happens every three years, whereas "biennial" refers to something that happens every two years. They are not interchangeable.

Are there any synonyms for "triennial"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "every three years" or "occurring every three years" as synonyms for "triennial", depending on the context.

What is a "triennial" plant?

A "triennial" plant is a plant that requires three years to complete its biological life cycle.