triumvirate

[trahy-uhm-ver-it, -vuh-reyt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR triumvirate ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Roman History. the office or magistracy of a triumvir.

a government of three officers or magistrates functioning jointly.

a coalition of three magistrates or rulers for joint administration.

any association of three in office or authority.

any group or set of three.

Origin of triumvirate

From the Latin word triumvirātus, dating back to 1575–85. See triumvir, -ate³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for triumvirate

threesome, troika, triad, three, trine, triple, trinity, triplet, triangle, triplicate, trilogy, triptych, trey, ternion, triune, triunity

Examples from the Web for triumvirate

Contemporary Examples of triumvirate

Successful politicians seek to marry a triumvirate of charisma, certitude, and leadership.
The Ugly Truth About Ugly Politicians
Tim Teeman
July 26, 2014
Beyond this triumvirate I struggle to recall something or someone truly remarkable.
Gal With a Suitcase
Jolie Hunt
July 17, 2010

Historical Examples of triumvirate

They, with Gallatin, formed the triumvirate which ruled the country for sixteen years.
Albert Gallatin
John Austin Stevens
To him there was no Triumvirate: the word had never been mentioned to his ears.
The Life of Cicero
Anthony Trollope
The Third Triumvirate went down to breakfast with small appetite.
The Varmint
Owen Johnson
The alliance of these three men is called the First Triumvirate.
A Treasury of Heroes and Heroines
Clayton Edwards
Meanwhile what were Cæsar's partners in the Triumvirate doing?
Historic Tales, Volume 11 (of 15)
Charles Morris

British Dictionary definitions for triumvirate

triumvirate

noun

(in ancient Rome)

a board of three officials jointly responsible for some task
the political alliance of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey, formed in 60 bc (First Triumvirate)
the coalition and joint rule of the Roman Empire by Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian, begun in 43 bc (Second Triumvirate)

any joint rule by three men

any group of three men associated in some way

the office of a triumvir

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for triumvirate

1580s, from Latin triumviratus, from triumvir (see triumvir).