victory

[ vik-tuh-ree, vik-tree ]

noun

, plural vic·to·ries.

1. a success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war.

   Antonyms: defeat

2. an engagement ending in such triumph:

   American victories in the Pacific were won at great cost.

   Antonyms: defeat

3. the ultimate and decisive superiority in any battle or contest:

   The new vaccine effected a victory over poliomyelitis.

   Antonyms: defeat

4. a success or superior position achieved against any opponent, opposition, difficulty, etc.:

   a moral victory.

5. (initial capital letter) the ancient Roman goddess Victoria, often represented in statues or on coins as the personification of victory.

victory

¹

/ ˈvɪktərɪ /

noun

1. final and complete superiority in a war
2. a successful military engagement
3. a success attained in a contest or struggle or over an opponent, obstacle, or problem
4. the act of triumphing or state of having triumphed

Victory

²

/ ˈvɪktərɪ /

noun

1. another name (in English) for Victoria 3
2. another name (in English) for Nike

Other Words From

• victo·ry·less adjective
• non·victo·ry noun plural nonvictories
• super·victo·ry noun plural supervictories

Word History and Origins

Origin of victory¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English victorie, from Latin victōria, equivalent to victōr-, stem of victor victor + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of victory¹

C14: from Old French victorie, from Latin victōria, from vincere to subdue

Idioms and Phrases

see pyrrhic victory .

Synonym Study

Victory, conquest, triumph refer to a successful outcome of a struggle. Victory suggests the decisive defeat of an opponent in a contest of any kind: victory in battle; a football victory. Conquest implies the taking over of control by the victor, and the obedience of the conquered: a war of conquest; the conquest of Peru. Triumph implies a particularly outstanding victory: the triumph of a righteous cause; the triumph of justice.

Example Sentences

“This was the closest state senate race in the state, but unfortunately it appears that we will fall just short of victory,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

The race victory is expected to be fought between Russell and the two Ferraris of Sainz and Leclerc, who starts fourth but has shown the strongest pace on race runs this weekend.

From BBC

Six victories and 17 losses in 23 matches, a sorry win rate of 26% and no Test victory since October 2023 demonstrates the contrasting fortunes.

From BBC

Both teams had lost their first Cup game and were in need of a victory to stay relevant during the in-season tournament.

From Los Angeles Times

The last team to beat the Patriots was Narbonne in a 2018 playoff game, but the Gauchos forfeited the victory because of an ineligible player.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• achievement
• advantage
• defeat
• gain
• grand slam
• hit
• sweep
• triumph
• winning