triumph

American  

[trahy-uhmf, -uhmf] / ˈtraɪ əmf, -ʌmf /

noun

1. the act, fact, or condition of being victorious or triumphant; victory; conquest.

   Synonyms:

   success

   Antonyms:

   loss, defeat

2. a significant success or noteworthy achievement; instance or occasion of victory.

3. exultation resulting from victory; joy over success.

   Synonyms:

   celebration, jubilation

4. Roman History. the ceremonial entrance into Rome of a victorious commander with his army, spoils of war, and captives, authorized by the senate in honor of an important military or naval victory.

5. a public pageant, spectacle, or the like.

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verb (used without object)

1. to gain a victory; be victorious; win.

   Synonyms:

   succeed

2. to gain mastery; prevail.

   to triumph over fear.

3. to be successful; achieve success.

4. to exult over victory; rejoice over success.

5. to be elated or glad; rejoice proudly; glory.

6. to celebrate a triumph, as a victorious Roman commander.

verb (used with object)

1. to conquer; triumph over.

triumph British  

/ ˈtraɪəmf /

noun

1. the feeling of exultation and happiness derived from a victory or major achievement

2. the act or condition of being victorious; victory

3. (in ancient Rome) a ritual procession to the Capitoline Hill held in honour of a victorious general

4. obsolete a public display or celebration

5. cards an obsolete word for trump 1

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verb

1. (often foll by over) to win a victory or control

   to triumph over one's weaknesses

2. to rejoice over a victory

3. to celebrate a Roman triumph

Usage

What does triumph mean? To triumph is to win, succeed, or be victorious in an epic or spectacular way. Sometimes, it means to conquer. In this case, it’s often used with the word over. An army can triumph over enemy forces. In stories, good triumphs over evil. A person might be said to triumph over cancer. Triumph 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. Triumph is also commonly used as a noun meaning an especially significant or noteworthy victory or success, as in Their championship was a triumph—a win that places them among the all-time greats. A person’s moment of triumph is the moment when they finally achieve victory or success. Triumph can refer to the state of winning or being victorious, as in They returned to their hometown in triumph, entering to the cheers of the adoring crowd. Sometimes, triumph refers to the state of joy or celebration following a victory or success that is considered a triumph, as in A feeling of triumph filled her as she realized she had won the election. Triumph can also be used to refer to something that is a great achievement, as in Her latest novel is her greatest triumph—a masterpiece in every way. The adjective triumphant means experiencing, celebrating, or having achieved a triumph. The adjective triumphal means involving, relating to, or celebrating a triumph. Example: We will not rest until we reach our moment of triumph—when we finally triumph over the forces of evil.

Related Words

See victory.

Other Word Forms

• triumpher noun

Etymology

Origin of triumph

First recorded before 900; Middle English triumphe (noun), Old English triumpha, from Latin triump(h)us, perhaps from Etruscan, from Greek thríambos “hymn to Dionysus”

Explanation

A triumph is a well-earned victory. It'll make you pump your fist and yell "Hurrah!" Triumph can be a noun or a verb, so you can have a triumph after the big game when you triumph over your opponents. Either way, it's a way to rejoice and a reason to whoop it up. The word comes from the Latin triumphus which is an "achievement, success, procession for a victorious general or admiral." The jury's still out on whether it comes from the Greek thriambos, as a "hymn to Dionysus," but it's fun to imagine that a triumph is a song to the Greek god of party animals. Fittingly, a Triumph is also the name of a motorcycle, a cool car, and a hard rockin' band from Canada.

Example Sentences

For successive governments this investment from India's Tata Group has been a £5bn triumph of industrial policy, but it is also a minimum requirement to secure the future of British car manufacturing.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

After its triumph in war with Persia, Athens under Pericles began to treat its allies as subordinates to be exploited.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

"We had to suffer a lot," Williams told me before helping Athletic to a first Copa del Rey triumph in 40 years.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

This was a heartfelt triumph for the towering tournament most outstanding player who overcame mental health issues to become the toughest figure on the floor.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

Until then Ellidyr’s eyes had burned with triumph, but now his face changed.

From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander

Related Words

• conquer
• dominate
• flourish
• overcome
• overwhelm
• prevail
• prosper
• sweep
• thrive
• trounce
• win