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 of trophy

Noun

• jewel
• treasure
• honor

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Noun

the mogul's latest trophies include a winter mansion in the Bahamas and a new sports car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For the students who competed in Miami last month, the afternoon ended with medals and trophies, and, for the winning teams, the chance to keep going. —Ethan Stone, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

Just like every team gets to send one guy to the All-Star Game, every team should also be honored in some way with a trophy. —Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 10 Apr. 2026

For a second-straight year, and the third time in six years, no amateur will play the weekend or earn the lower amateur trophy. —Jordan Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 10 Apr. 2026

Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Charlisse Leger-Walker capped the party by hitting the court to perform their TikTok dance with the championship trophy in the background. —Beth Harris, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for trophy

• sophy
• trophy
• hypertrophy
• theosophy

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