What does ternary mean?
Ternary describes something composed of three parts, values, or alternatives. Its best-known technical uses include ternary logic, in which a proposition can have three truth values; ternary numbers, which use the digits 0, 1, and 2; and ternary operations in computing. In music, a ternary is a form built around two appearances of a main section, commonly followed by a contrasting passage. As a noun, the word can also mean a group of three. The term has a neutral, scholarly tone and is often chosen when the precise idea of three related elements matters. For example, a decision with three possible outcomes is ternary rather than merely multiple, while a choice between two alternatives is binary. Although ternary can sound abstract, it is useful wherever ordinary descriptions such as three-way or three-part would be less precise or less elegant.
Consisting of three parts or terms; involving three values, alternatives, or components.
"The system uses a ternary decision process with three possible outcomes."
Common in mathematics, logic, computing, music, and linguistics; also used more broadly in formal writing.
A three-part musical form, a group or arrangement of three, or a number expressed in a base-three system.
"The second movement is a ternary, with its opening theme returning before a contrasting final section."
The noun is much less common in general use than the adjective and is most often encountered in technical contexts.
The plural is used when referring to multiple ternary musical forms or other instances of a three-part arrangement.
"Several ternaries in the collection follow a similar pattern of recurrence and contrast."
Ternary turns a simple yes-or-no question into a three-way choice: this, that, or something else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ternary come from?
English ternary comes through Medieval Latin from Latin ternarius, meaning “consisting of three,” which was formed from terni, “three each,” an irregular form of Latin tres, “three.” Latin terni and tres ultimately reflect the same Indo-European numeral for three. Related words including trio, triad, and trinity arose through different languages and historical routes but likewise express the inherited concept of three.
Related word forms
How ternary is actually used
Ternary is primarily formal and technical. It is common in mathematics, logic, computing, music, and linguistics; in everyday speech, three-way or three-part is usually clearer.
Easily confused with ternary
Ternary means consisting of three parts or values, whereas tertiary means third in rank, order, or importance.