triumph

[trahy-uhmf, -uhmf]

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.

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

/ 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

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

Other Word Forms

• triumpher noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of triumph¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of triumph¹

C14: from Old French triumphe , from Latin triumphus , from Old Latin triumpus ; probably related to Greek thriambos Bacchic hymn

Synonym Study

See victory.

Example Sentences

After one bumbling year coached by Jerod Mayo, New England tapped Mike Vrabel to lead the team—and Sunday night’s win over the Bills marked the franchise’s biggest triumph in years.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It was a moment of triumph for Bourla that has brought on ire from other executives.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

It’s been far too long since he last reminded us of his extraordinary talents; may this triumph lead him to working regularly again.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

But his record, his triumphs and his four national championships as a coach with Notre Dame are no mystery.

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“And now more than ever, we can find comfort and hope in the defining message of Diwali: Light will triumph over darkness and good will triumph over evil.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.