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.
“Band on the Run” is less a triumphal tale than a civilizational tragedy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
But it is not merely a triumphal arch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 27, 2026
The projects include a giant White House ballroom and a triumphal arch -- plus the Reflecting Pool by the Lincoln Memorial, which is currently beset by algae and peeling paint after a multi-million-dollar upgrade.
From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 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
In this triumphal atmosphere, rumors were heard again that Ernest might land the Nobel Prize.
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.
