1
a
: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is not of this suit
called also trump card
b
: the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand
—often used in plural
2
: a decisive overriding factor or final resource
called also trump card
3
: a dependable and exemplary person
trumped; trumping; trumps
1
: to get the better of : override
where ambition invariably trumps loyalty—
Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer2
: to play a trump on (a card or trick) when another suit was led
: to play a trump when another suit was led
1
a
: trumpet
b
chiefly Scotland
: jew's harp
2
: a sound of or as if of trumpeting
the trump of doom
Examples of trump in a Sentence
Verb
She trumped my ace to win the trick.
Their offer for the house was trumped by a higher bid.
The need for blood donors trumps all other concerns.
Recent Examples on the WebJodie Cook, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The findings mark a shift from earlier this month, when another Quinnipiac poll found Harris leading trump 49%-46%.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
But most high-end rigs have high-end coolers, and performance nearly always trumps all.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trump 
Noun
When asked what makes wealth meaningless, these entrepreneurs believe character trumps cash every time.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024
The findings mark a shift from earlier this month, when another Quinnipiac poll found Harris leading trump 49%-46%.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Big potential can occasionally trump modest first-class records in the race to the top.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
But most high-end rigs have high-end coolers, and performance nearly always trumps all.
—Tom Warren, The Verge, 24 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for trump
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'trump.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near trump
Cite this Entry
“Trump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trump
1 of 2 noun1
: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is of a different suit
also
: the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand
—often used in plural
2
trump
2 of 2 verb1
: to take with a trump
trump another player's card
2
: to play a trump
3
: to get the better of : outdo
trumped her competitors
Biographical Definition
Trump
biographical name
Donald J(ohn) 1946– American businessman and politician; 45th president of the U.S. (2017–21)
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