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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The creative triumvirate of Yerkovich, Mann, and Carter and the rapport of Johnson, Thomas, and their co-stars — Saundra Santiago as Gina, Olivia Brown as Trudy, Michael Talbott as Switek, and John Diehl as Zito — proved alchemically perfect. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024 Davis: And Mike Elizondo, our producer, is just so important to mention here as the third in our triumvirate because another huge character was the band. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Together, with another lower gut hormone called PYY, this triumvirate is critical for coordinating your body’s response to food by regulating your appetite and blood sugar. Christopher Damman, The Conversation, 14 June 2024 With the triumvirate of Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi leading the front line, it was hoped Pochettino would be the man to lead PSG to Champions League glory. Rudy Chinchilla, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for triumvirate 

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 13 Nov. 2024.

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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