triennially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "triennially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or occurrence that takes place every three years. Example: "The organization holds its conference triennially, bringing together experts from various fields."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

It has a plenary Assembly, which holds the budgetary power; a permanent Council elected triennially, which, among other things, adopts the Annexes to the Convention; an Air Navigation Commission; an Air Transport Committee; and a plenary Legal Committee, which discusses matters of air law of common interest to members and prepares draft conventions for their consideration and acceptance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The population was registered; a land tax (based on the nature of the crops and the amount of arable land) was instituted and revised triennially; new penal and civil codes were drawn up utilizing Confucian moral precepts; and, following the practices of the Chinese Ming dynasty (1368 1644), hortatory works of Confucian moral precepts were periodically read in every village in the country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The General Synod serves as the governing body of the church and meets triennially.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The dioceses belong to the General Convention, which meets triennially.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Top of the Class," published Wednesday by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development, is based on a study of education that the intergovernmental research and policy advisory agency, based in Paris, runs triennially on samples of 15-year-old students worldwide.

The New York Times

But it is hard enough to remember to schedule an annual exam, let alone one done triennially, unless doctors send out reminders, and almost none of them do.

The New York Times - Health

He is the patron of the world's richest architectural prize, a $500,000 award given triennially to groups of architects whose projects contribute to social, economic and cultural development in the Muslim world.

The New York Times

According to the Housing and Vacancy Survey, conducted triennially for the city by the Census Bureau, there were 1,020,588 rent-stabilized apartments in the city in 1999 (a new survey is due out early next year).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "triennially" when you want to concisely express that something occurs every three years. It's suitable for formal writing and technical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "triennially" if you mean biyearly (every two years) or annually (every year). Ensure you're accurately representing the three-year interval.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "triennially" functions to modify a verb, specifying the frequency with which an action occurs. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing the term accurately indicates an event happening every three years.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "triennially" is a formal adverb that means every three years. According to Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct. It appears most often in encyclopedias and news media, making it suitable for formal and technical contexts. For simpler communication, consider using the phrase "every three years". Be careful not to confuse it with "biennially", which means every two years. Using "triennially" correctly enhances the precision and clarity of your writing when describing events occurring on a three-year cycle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

every three years

Replaces the single word with a more explicit phrase.

once every three years

Adds emphasis to the interval of three years.

at three-year intervals

Focuses on the interval between occurrences.

occurring every third year

Emphasizes the year in the cycle.

every third year

A more concise way of saying "occurring every third year".

on a three-year cycle

Highlights the cyclical nature of the event.

taking place every three years

Emphasizes the action of the event occurring.

at intervals of three years

Similar to "at three-year intervals" but with a slightly different word order.

in three-year periods

Highlights that the event happens within distinct three-year spans.

three-yearly

A less common, but valid, adjectival form.

FAQs

How can I use "triennially" in a sentence?

You can use "triennially" to describe events that happen every three years. For example: "The conference is held "triennially".".

What's a simpler way to say "triennially"?

A simpler alternative to "triennially" is "every three years". It's more easily understood by a broader audience.

Is "triennially" the same as "biennially"?

No, "triennially" means every three years, while "biennially" means every two years. They describe different frequencies.

In what contexts is "triennially" most appropriate?

"Triennially" is most appropriate in formal or technical writing where precise language is important. It's often used in reports, official documents, and academic papers.