triennial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MidFormal to Technical
Quick answer
What does “triennial” mean?
Lasting for three years, or happening every three years.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Lasting for three years, or happening every three years.
An event, publication, or celebration that occurs once every three years; the period or term of three years.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both use the term in formal/academic contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties carry connotations of formality, official planning (e.g., reports, conferences), and botany/gardening (for plants).
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, largely confined to specific formal domains.
Grammar
How to Use “triennial” in a Sentence
[Adj.] a triennial + [Noun (event/report)][Adj.] happening/held on a triennial basis[Noun] The next triennial is in 2025.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “triennial” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The society publishes a triennial report on climate policy.
- The museum's triennial exhibition features emerging artists.
American English
- The federal agency conducts a triennial review of its regulations.
- She is responsible for the triennial budget forecast.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for formal strategic reviews, financial audits, or major shareholder meetings scheduled every three years.
Academic
Common for conferences, journal publications, or grant reviews that follow a three-year cycle.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in contexts like town festivals or club elections.
Technical
Used in botany for plants with a three-year life cycle, and in certain legal/regulatory frameworks for mandatory reviews.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “triennial”
- Confusing it with 'biennial' (every two years) or 'centennial' (every hundred years). Misspelling as 'triannual' (a non-standard term sometimes confused with 'triennial').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Triennial' means every three years. 'Triannual' is a rare and often discouraged term that ambiguously means either three times a year or every three months; 'triennial' is the correct and standard term for the three-year cycle.
Yes, though less common. As a noun, it refers to an event or publication that occurs every three years, e.g., 'The next triennial will be held in Vienna.'
These terms describe frequency: 'annual' = every year, 'biennial' = every two years, 'triennial' = every three years. They are often used for reports, conferences, and plant life cycles.
It is most common in formal, academic, and technical contexts such as corporate governance (reviews, audits), academia (conferences, journals), botany (plant life cycles), and public administration (festivals, assessments).
Lasting for three years, or happening every three years.
Triennial is usually formal to technical in register.
Triennial: in British English it is pronounced /traɪˈen.i.əl/, and in American English it is pronounced /traɪˈen.i.əl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On a triennial basis”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'TRI' (three) + 'ENNIAL' (like 'annual' for years) = three-yearly.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (The three-year cycle as a recurring, predictable loop in time).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'triennial'?