triumvirate

noun

tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət 

1

: a body of triumvirs

2

: the office or government of triumvirs

3

: a group or association of three

Did you know?

The first triumvirate of the Roman Republic, which consisted of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, was simply an alliance or partnership, not a formal institution of the government. The alliance didn't last long, however, and Caesar eventually emerged with total power. This led to his assassination, after which a second triumvirate took over, with Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus dividing the Roman world among themselves. But these triumvirs also soon turned on one another, with Octavian alone taking power; in time he would become Rome's first emperor.

Synonyms

• threesome
• triad
• trifecta
• trinity
• trio
• triple
• triplet

Examples of triumvirate in a Sentence

among the city's cultural institutions, the art museum, the symphony orchestra, and the opera company reign as the supreme triumvirate

Recent Examples on the Web

Scherer is named as head of global recorded catalog, while retaining responsibility for publishing, North America. Related Now, Loba, Scherer and CFO Joe Gillen form BMG’s North American leadership triumvirate. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 25 Jan. 2024

The global trek will kick off in Atlanta on Aug. 14, and will make stops in D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, Toronto and more before wrapping up the North American leg in Houston with a triumvirate of shows to close out November. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triumvirate

noun

tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət 

1

: government by three persons who share authority and responsibility

2

: the office or term of office of a triumvir

3

: a group of three persons or things having something in common