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

In 2026, both will be joined by the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, creating a triumvirate of world-class historic and artistic collections. —Duncan Madden, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

This town still belongs to the Lakers and the Dodgers, although the Rams — with the winning, investments and community efforts — are starting to transform it into a triumvirate. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026

She was soon joined in the kiss-and-cry area by Liu and Levito, the likely triumvirate for the Milan Cortina Games. —Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026

So maybe a front office triumvirate of Ryan-Cunningham-Harbaugh could stop the losing. —D. Orlando Ledbetter, AJC.com, 8 Jan. 2026

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