triumvirate

noun

tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət How to pronounce triumvirate (audio)
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.

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 The triumvirate have been trying to launch a sequel to their 2005 superhero-horror film for quite some time. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2023 But McCarthy was an utterly singular and manifestly American writer, and a more than worthy heir to that triumvirate. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 13 June 2023 First, here’s why the McHale/Jeong/Brown triumvirate makes total sense as this year’s Emmy hosts. Michael Schneider, Variety, 27 Oct. 2023 Toledo Among large cities, a triumvirate of places from the West Coast stand atop the list. Marc Bona, cleveland, 4 Sep. 2023 And that evening, we were treated to the center’s triumvirate of orchestras — the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, the Boston Pops and the BSO under maestro Nelsons. Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 18 Aug. 2023 One scenario discussed in Ramallah, Jordan, and Egypt is a triumvirate of three senior PA officials, each managing a separate portfolio: administrative affairs, security, and diplomacy. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Aug. 2023 The agency’s ruling triumvirate of Bryan Lourd, Kevin Huvane and Richard Lovett have all committed to remaining in leadership, though terms were not immediately disclosed, a formal announcement on Thursday said. Matt Donnelly, Variety, 7 Sep. 2023 These are trying times for Reinsdorf, executive vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn, the triumvirate in charge of a team that has begun to resemble Wile E. Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons. Chicago Tribune Staff, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'triumvirate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of triumvirate was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near triumvirate

Cite this Entry

“Triumvirate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/triumvirate. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

triumvirate

noun
tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət How to pronounce triumvirate (audio)
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

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