Triennio

Triennio is a noun in Italian that denotes a period of three consecutive years. The term derives from Latin triennium, formed from tri- meaning three and annus meaning year, and is used across various disciplines to specify a three-year interval.

In education, the concept is common in the Italian school system and in higher education. For example, many secondary schools divide their five-year courses into a biennio (two years) and a triennio (the final three years). The term also appears in reference to three-year degree programs, such as the laurea triennale, which corresponds to an undergraduate bachelor’s degree in Italy. Beyond specific programs, triennio can indicate any three-year phase within curricula or training programs.

In public administration, business, and planning, triennio commonly describes three-year planning, budgeting, or evaluation cycles. Governments and organizations may publish a triennale or triennio budget or plan, covering three consecutive calendar or fiscal years, sometimes aligned with a longer strategic framework.

Usage notes are typically contextual: triennio unambiguously refers to a three-year stretch, with the exact years specified in accompanying documentation. Related terms include biennio (two years) and quadriennio (four years), which denote other fixed-cycle intervals.