triumphal
Americanadjective
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of, pertaining to, celebrating, or commemorating a triumph or victory.
a triumphal banquet; a triumphal ode.
adjective
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celebrating a triumph
a triumphal procession
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resembling triumph
Usage
What does triumphal mean? Triumphal means involving, relating to, or celebrating a triumph—an especially significant or noteworthy victory or success. In many cases, triumphal means about the same thing as the more commonly used triumphant—experiencing, celebrating, or having achieved a triumph. Triumph is also commonly used as a verb meaning to win, succeed, or be victorious in an epic or spectacular way. An army can triumph over enemy forces. In stories, good triumphs over evil. A person might be said to triumph over cancer. Triumphal is especially used in situations in which victory or success has come after great difficulty, adversity, or sacrifice, or over an opponent considered difficult to defeat. Sometimes, triumphal describes the state of joy or celebration following a victory or success that is considered a triumph, as in A triumphal feeling filled her as she realized she had won the election. Example: A triumphal victory parade has been planned to celebrate the championship.
Etymology
Origin of triumphal
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word triumphālis. See triumph, -al 1
Vocabulary lists containing triumphal
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Use of artificial intelligence by big companies is exploding—and the soaring cost has some of them pumping the brakes in a way that could complicate AI’s triumphal march across the economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
He has also announced plans to build a triumphal arch as part of plans to mark the nation's 250th anniversary.
From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026
It also comes amid other grandiose schemes such as demolishing the White House East Wing in order to install a $400-million ballroom, and announcing the construction of a large triumphal arch.
From Barron's • Dec. 18, 2025
Like Trump’s arch, it also contains images of a winged Victory accompanying Titus on his triumphal procession.
From Salon • Nov. 5, 2025
The news transformed the cocktail reception he had scheduled for himself at a Washington hotel into a triumphal celebration of his quest for the Super.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
