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 of triumvirate

• trio
• triad

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

Meet notes There was a triumvirate of double gold winners as San Antonio Christian (5A), Spring Providence Classical (3A) and Spring Founders Christian (1A) each finished atop the team standings in boys and girls. —Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Oct. 2025

The triumvirate of Bear Bachmeier, LJ Martin, and Parker Kingston has proved pivotal for BYU of late, with each starring in the 24-21 win over Utah last weekend. —Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

The play focuses on the assassination of the title character by a conspiracy headed by Brutus and Cassius and the defeat of the conspirators in battle by Caesar’s successors, the triumvirate of Marc Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus. —JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2025

Instead, Parkinson stuck with the triumvirate of Moore, O’Brien and Windass that had been his go-to front three since the 3-2 win away to Norwich City a month earlier. —Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025

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