trimestrial
Definition
- Adjective:
- Occurring every three months: "trimestrial" describes something that happens or is done once in a period of three months, or relates to a trimester.
- Lasting three months: It can also refer to something that extends over a period of three months.
Usage Examples
- (A report issued every three months.)
- (A course lasting for three months.)
- (A meeting held every quarter.)
Advanced Usage
"trimestrial period": a span of three months, often used in academic or financial contexts.
- The academic year is divided into three trimestrial periods. (Three-month terms in a school year.)
"trimestrial publication": a magazine or journal issued every three months.
- The scientific journal is a trimestrial publication with four issues per year. (A quarterly journal.)
Variants and Related Words
Trimester (n): a period of three months, especially as a division of a pregnancy or academic year.
- She is in her second trimester of pregnancy. (Months 4–6 of pregnancy.)
Trimestrial (adj) is the direct adjectival form of "trimester."
Synonyms
Quarterly: occurring every three months; the most common synonym.
- The quarterly report is due next month. (Same as trimestrial report.)
Triannual: occurring three times a year (note: this is NOT the same as "every three months"; it means three times per year, which could be every four months). Use with caution.
Related Idioms
- No common idioms exist for "trimestrial," as it is a formal, technical term.
Notes
- "Trimestrial" is less common than "quarterly" in modern English. It is primarily used in formal or academic writing, especially in contexts where "trimester" is the standard division (e.g., in some educational systems or medical contexts).