Trojan

1 of 2

noun

Tro·​jan ˈtrō-jən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Troy

2

: one who shows qualities (such as pluck, endurance, or determined energy) attributed to the defenders of ancient Troy

3

: a merry and often irresponsible or disreputable companion

Trojan

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling ancient Troy or its inhabitants

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a Trojan horse

Examples of Trojan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ten years after his Trojan horse gambit, Odysseus (Ralph Fiennes) washes up on Ithaca and has to get his mind right – and his warrior groove back – for battle as well as a rousing reunion with wife Queen Penelope (Juliette Binoche). —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2025

These observations are laying the groundwork for when Lucy encounters its first Trojan target, Eurybates, and its satellite Queta in 2027. —Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Its first Trojan flyby, of asteroid Eurybates and its satellite Queta, is scheduled for August 2027. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025

Homer himself uses natural metaphors to ennoble violent human actors: Achilles is a wildfire sweeping across the Trojan plain. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin trojanus of Troy, from Troia, Troja Troy, from Greek Trōïa

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Trojan

• Trojan horse
• Trojan War
• work like a Trojan

Kids Definition

Trojan

noun

Tro·​jan

ˈtrō-jən

: a person born or living in ancient Troy

Trojan adjective