CultureAugust 27, 2026

triennial

try-EN-ee-uhl

Definition

An event, exhibition, or festival that takes place every three years.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'triennis', combining 'tri-' (three) and 'annus' (year). It entered English in the 17th century to describe events occurring every three years.

In the news

The word refers to the 2026 Counterpublic triennial in St. Louis, establishing that this is a recurring contemporary art event held on a three-year cycle.

Four Native Artists Commissioned for Counterpublic Triennial

Read the full article ↗

Hyperallergic

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.