triumph

1 of 2

noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs ˈtrī-əm(p)fs  -əm(p)s 

1

a

: a victory or conquest by or as if by military force

b

: a notable success

the party was a triumph

2

: the joy or exultation of victory or success

3

: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy compare ovation sense 1

triumphal

trī-ˈəm(p)-fəl 

adjective

triumph

2 of 2

verb

triumphed; triumphing; triumphs

intransitive verb

1

: to obtain victory : prevail

2

a

: to receive the honor of a triumph

b

: to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

Synonyms

Noun

• accomplishment
• achievement
• acquirement
• attainment
• baby
• coup
• success

Verb

• conquer
• prevail
• win

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

Noun

They earned a magnificent triumph over the invading army.

They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.

Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.

The party was a triumph.

The bridge is an engineering triumph.

They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.

They stood atop the mountain in triumph.

Verb

His favorite team triumphed in the championship game.

despite an accident early on, the runner persevered and ultimately triumphed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gremlins come out; the edifices crumble; the saucy doubts and fears triumph. —James Parker, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024

From Chianti’s enduring legacy to the rise of rebellious Super Tuscans, the book explores the triumphs and trials that shaped Tuscany’s vinous identity. —Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Verb

Competing in Granada, Spain, in November, Richards triumphed in his first-ever Spanish Scrabble tournament, losing just one game out of 24. Richards, who holds five English-language world titles, spent a year memorizing the Spanish Scrabble word list to prepare. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Rosberg then triumphed in Austria, followed by Hamilton’s home win at Silverstone and Rosberg’s victory on home soil in Germany. —Yara Elshebiny, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English triumphe, from Old French, from Latin triumphus

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triumph

1 of 2 noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs

1

: an ancient Roman ceremony honoring a victorious general

2

: the joy of victory or success

3

a

: a military victory or conquest

b

: any great success

a scientific triumph

triumph

2 of 2 verb

1

: to celebrate victory or success with much rejoicing

2

: to gain victory : win