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

Bayern has won six times, Dortmund won for the only time in 1997 and PSG seeks its first Champs League trophy. —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 5 May 2024

Alright Katie, so this medal — does this one go in the same trophy cases as your Olympic medals? —Erika Ryan, NPR, 3 May 2024

What: Specials on Crazy Norse all night, giveaways, trophy presentation at 7 p.m. Why: Because beer is good. —Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 3 May 2024

The best social impact documentary trophy went to Erin Lau and Amber Espinosa-Jones for Standing Above the Clouds, which chronicles the journey of three Native Hawaiian families to defend their sacred mountain where a telescope is set to be built on Mauna Kea. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 May 2024

Any would make a fine trophy, but two of the heads were more massive, had longer points. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 2 May 2024

Curators oversee thousands of pieces of sports equipment, uniforms, medals, documents, torches, trophies — and art work. —John Branch, New York Times, 2 May 2024

And while we’re told Croker’s current spouse Serena (Sarah Jones) is shrewder than the trophy she’s often dismissed as, we’re given few chances to see it. —Alison Herman, Variety, 2 May 2024

If the Monarchs are to accomplish their postseason goal of lifting the CCS Open trophy, the must knock off undefeated St. Francis. —Joseph Dycus, The Mercury News, 30 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