trophy

1 of 2

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial

2

a

: a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victory

b

: a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal)

also : an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons

3

: a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy

—usually used attributively

4

: one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status

—usually used attributively

a trophy wife

a trophy house

trophy transitive verb

-trophy

2 of 2

noun combining form

: nutrition : nurture : growth

dystrophy

Synonyms

Noun

• boast
• credit
• crown jewel
• glory
• honor
• jewel
• pride
• treasure

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Image The questions surrounding the portrait have only added to the interest in the sale of this work by Klimt, one of the founders of the influential Vienna Secessionist movement, whose highly decorative paintings are now among the art market’s most coveted trophies. —Scott Reyburn, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2024

Meghan accompanied Prince Harry to Florida and awarded his team the winning trophy, with a sweet kiss for her husband. —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 19 Apr. 2024

To qualify as a true trophy, most anglers would agree the fish has to stretch beyond the 40-inch mark. —Joe Cermele, Outdoor Life, 18 Apr. 2024

Ludacris reflected on setting a goal to make Release Therapy so undeniable that the Recording Academy had to give him the Grammy trophy. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 18 Apr. 2024

The Sockers won in 2022 en route to capturing the Ron Newman Cup and the Savage returned the favor last spring and went on to raise the championship trophy. —Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

As a state, Idaho takes the first-place trophy in home-price increases over the last decade, according to a study from Architecture Lab that examined data from Zillow. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 17 Apr. 2024

After Meghan Markle presented the trophy to her husband, Prince Harry, the couple shared a public kiss. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024

There aren’t many trophies that recognize who finished second. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trophee, from Medieval Latin tropheum, from Latin tropaeum, trophaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of a turning, of a rout, from tropē turn, rout, from trepein to turn

Noun combining form

New Latin -trophia, from Greek, from -trophos nourishing, from trephein

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing trophy

• trophy wife

Kids Definition

trophy

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

plural trophies

1

: something taken from the enemy in victory or conquest especially when kept and displayed as proof of one's bravery or victory

took the enemy's flags as trophies

2

: something given in recognition of a victory or as an award for achievement

a golf trophy

trophied

-fēd

adjective