triumph

1 of 2

noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs ˈtrī-əm(p)fs  -əm(p)s 

1

a

: a victory or conquest by or as if by military force

b

: a notable success

The party was a triumph.

Quitting smoking was a personal triumph.

2

: the joy or exultation of victory or success

stood atop the mountain in triumph

3

: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy compare ovation sense 2

triumphal

trī-ˈəm(p)-fəl 

adjective

triumph

2 of 2

verb

triumphed; triumphing; triumphs

intransitive verb

1

: to obtain victory : prevail

good triumphing over evil

2

a

: to receive the honor of a triumph

b

: to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

Synonyms of triumph

Noun

• success
• achievement
• accomplishment

Verb

• win
• prevail

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

Noun

They earned a magnificent triumph over the invading army.

They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.

Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.

The party was a triumph.

The bridge is an engineering triumph.

They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.

They stood atop the mountain in triumph.

Verb

His favorite team triumphed in the championship game.

despite an accident early on, the runner persevered and ultimately triumphed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That triumph marked the last time the GOP held the state’s top position and the final year a Republican captured a statewide office in California. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

With so many French basketball stars being the children of immigrants, and benefitting from government investment in youth programs, the country’s basketball triumphs spotlight success stories for national values that now appear in jeopardy. — Albert Samaha, New Yorker, 7 Nov. 2026

Verb

Democrats also triumphed in three other districts that Republicans hoped to win by fiddling with boundary lines. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026

Trump was trounced, the country triumphed, and the long national nightmare is over, but for the rest of his lame-duck presidency. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English triumphe, from Old French, from Latin triumphus

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triumph

1 of 2 noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs

1

: an ancient Roman ceremony honoring a victorious general

2

: the joy of victory or success

3

a

: a military victory or conquest

b

: any great success

a scientific triumph

triumph

2 of 2 verb

1

: to celebrate victory or success with much rejoicing

2

: to gain victory : win