triennal

Definition

Adjective:
- Lasting three years: "triennal" describes something that continues or extends over a period of three years.
- Occurring every three years: "triennal" also means happening once every three years.
Noun:
- A plant that lives three years: "triennal" refers to a plant that completes its life cycle in three seasons or years.
- An event occurring every three years: "triennal" can denote a celebration, festival, or meeting that takes place once every three years.
- A third anniversary: "triennal" may also mean a commemoration marking three years.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- The triennal drought severely affected the region's agriculture. (A drought lasting three years.)
- The committee holds triennal elections for its leadership. (Elections that happen every three years.)
Noun:
- The garden features a triennal that blooms in its third year. (A plant living for three years.)
- The triennal of the arts festival drew visitors from around the world. (An event occurring every three years.)
- They celebrated the triennal of their founding with a gala. (A third anniversary celebration.)

Advanced Usage

"Triennal report": a report published every three years.
- The government releases a triennal report on environmental progress. (A document issued once every three years.)
"Triennal cycle": a repeating pattern or sequence that occurs every three years.
- The triennal cycle of the conference allows for thorough preparation. (A cycle with three-year intervals.)

Variants and Related Words

Triennially (adverb): in a manner that occurs every three years.
- The award is given triennially to outstanding scholars. (Once every three years.)
Triennium (noun): a period of three years.
- The project spanned a full triennium before completion. (A three-year duration.)

Synonyms

Triennial (alternative spelling): identical meaning.
Three-year (adjective): lasting or recurring every three years (less formal).
- The three-year plan is equivalent to a triennal schedule.

Related Idioms