trinity

Everyday

1. (church) The Trinity is the Christian belief that there is one God who is three persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit. tree →
2. A trinity is any group of three things or people that belong closely together. tree →

In the lessons

In religious education Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, and it is shown with symbols such as the shamrock or a triangle; Trinity Sunday is a feast in the church year. Many churches, schools and colleges are named Trinity. In everyday writing «a trinity» is a set of three. Phrases: «the Holy Trinity», «Trinity Sunday», «Trinity College», «an unholy trinity» (three bad things together, joking).

Examples

• Christians believe in the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. tree →
• Saint Patrick is said to have used a shamrock to explain the Trinity. tree →
• Our church is called Holy Trinity Church. tree →
• The priest preached about the Trinity on Trinity Sunday. tree →
• Reading, writing and maths are the trinity of basic skills. tree →
• The triangle on the window stands for the Trinity. tree →
• Wind, rain and cold were the trinity that ruined our picnic. tree →

Note

Capital T for the Christian belief. Countable when it means any set of three. Jews and Muslims do not believe in the Trinity; Christians say it is a mystery that is hard to explain fully. Related: triple, trio, tri- (three).

In Jewish tradition

In religious education Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, and it is shown with symbols such as the shamrock or a triangle; Trinity Sunday is a feast in the church year. Many churches, schools and colleges are named Trinity. In everyday writing «a trinity» is a set of three. Phrases: «the Holy Trinity», «Trinity Sunday», «Trinity College», «an unholy trinity» (three bad things together, joking).

Examples

• ShMA is in Chaldee a name for the Trinity (Parkhurst). (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →

Note

Capital T for the Christian belief. Countable when it means any set of three. Jews and Muslims do not believe in the Trinity; Christians say it is a mystery that is hard to explain fully. Related: triple, trio, tri- (three).