(~s)
Note: The spelling 'Triad' is also used for meaning 1.
1.
The Triads were Chinese secret societies in old China that were often associated with organized crime.
N-COUNT: usu pl, oft N n
2.
A ~ is a group of three similar things. (FORMAL)
For the faculty, there exists the ~ of responsibilities: teaching, research, and service.
N-COUNT: oft N of n