triumvirate

American  

[trahy-uhm-ver-it, -vuh-reyt] / traɪˈʌm vər ɪt, -vəˌreɪt /

noun

1. Roman History. the office or magistracy of a triumvir.

2. a government of three officers or magistrates functioning jointly.

3. a coalition of three magistrates or rulers for joint administration.

4. any association of three in office or authority.

5. any group or set of three.

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triumvirate British  

/ traɪˈʌmvɪrɪt /

noun

1. 1. a board of three officials jointly responsible for some task

   2. the political alliance of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey, formed in 60 _bc ( First Triumvirate )

   3. the coalition and joint rule of the Roman Empire by Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian, begun in 43 _bc ( Second Triumvirate )

2. any joint rule by three men

3. any group of three men associated in some way

4. the office of a triumvir

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Etymology

Origin of triumvirate

From the Latin word triumvirātus, dating back to 1575–85. See triumvir, -ate ³

Example Sentences

The “House of Ashur” alternate timeline shows Ashur’s formerly enslaved Syrian having won his freedom and the patronage of Marcus Licinius Crassus, one of the triumvirate of generals uneasily sharing power.

From Salon

Robbins then became part of the triumvirate of CEOs then tasked with running the company after former Chief Executive Bob Bakish got bounced.

From Los Angeles Times

He is obviously the second piece in the Lakers’ Big Three, a trio required to compete for a championship, a triumvirate that is one player short.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m not saying that is necessarily the holy triumvirate.

From Los Angeles Times

The crouton may reach its pinnacle of simple greatness in a Caesar, as one-third of the triumvirate — including anchovy-rich, creamy dressing and Parmesan — joining forces to make mere romaine amazing.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• threesome
• triad
• troika