Trojan

1 of 2

noun

Tro·​jan ˈtrō-jən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Troy

2

: one who shows qualities (such as pluck, endurance, or determined energy) attributed to the defenders of ancient Troy

3

: a merry and often irresponsible or disreputable companion

Trojan

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling ancient Troy or its inhabitants

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a Trojan horse

Examples of Trojan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But upon closer inspection, Sophos discovered that Sakura RAT operates as its own Trojan horse during the act of compilation—or turning the source code into an executable program. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 4 June 2025

These holdings correctly explain that climate plaintiffs are using state court proceedings as a Trojan horse for a radical, full scale rework of national – indeed international – climate policies. —Jason Isaac, Oc Register, 4 June 2025

All three Oregon State pitchers fired mid-90s fastballs, something rare among USC pitchers and too much for the Trojan hitters to handle. —Shotgun Spratling, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2025

The Trojan horse metaphor comes from Greek mythology, in which there is a tale of a large hollow wooden horse, secretly transporting Greek soldiers, being given as a gift to the city of Troy during the Trojan War. —Jason Lemon, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin trojanus of Troy, from Troia, Troja Troy, from Greek Trōïa

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Trojan

• Trojan horse
• Trojan War
• work like a Trojan

Kids Definition

Trojan

noun

Tro·​jan

ˈtrō-jən

: a person born or living in ancient Troy

Trojan adjective