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

The United States’ triumph in the Cold War also helped shape a strategic culture in Washington that presumes setting expansive goals such as nation building and regime change is both possible and desirable. — Emma Ashford, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2026

This will be his fourth full season, following Aston Villa’s most successful, which ended with a second Champions League qualification within three years and, most gloriously, Europa League triumph. — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

After two jittery routines to start her competition, Claire triumphed with a stick to rocket ahead of Blakely and Carey. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

And in June, when Andy Burnham triumphed in a by-election on his way to becoming prime minister just a month later, he was flanked in victory by a 6-foot furry fox and a man in superhero spandex. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 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