trophy

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noun tro·phy \ˈtrō-fē\

Definition of trophy

plural

trophies

1 : something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial
2a : a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victoryb : a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal); also : an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons
3 : a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy —usually used attributively
4 : one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status —usually used attributively a trophy wife a trophy house

trophy

transitive verb

See trophy defined for English-language learners

See trophy defined for kids

Recent Examples of trophy from the Web

Kvitova, who won Wimbledon in 2011 and 2014, had been favored by some British bookmakers to lift the trophy at fortnight's end, despite competing in only her third tournament of her comeback.

— Bloomberg.com, "2-time Wimbledon Champ Kvitova Stunned By American Brengle", 5 July 2017
But the World Cup will have another trophy for company if Loew's fledglings can beat Chile on Sunday in St. Petersburg.

— drew champlin, AL.com, "Chile vs. Germany live stream, watch online", 2 July 2017
FILE - In this June 15, 2017, file photo, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry gestures while holding the Larry O’Brien trophy during a parade and rally after winning the NBA basketball championship, in Oakland, Calif.

— Washington Post, "Day 1: Curry gets huge deal, Hayward hears Heat sales pitch", 1 July 2017
Roger Federer, the 35-year-old father of four who has not won Wimbledon in five years, enters the hallowed grounds of the All-England Club as the favorite to win the 2017 trophy.

— michelle kaufman, miamiherald, "Federer could become oldest Wimbledon champ since 1930", 30 June 2017
These girls have worked extremely hard to balance both academics and athletics while bringing home the state championship trophy for the last three years.

— Cincinnati.com, "Withrow girls track/field team recognized at Statehouse", 30 June 2017
Different competitors battle it out in each category for trophies and cash prizes in front of a panel of judges.

— rooney, Teen Vogue, "Voguing 101 With Cakes Da Killa", 30 June 2017
Exhibitors will compete for the 23 trophies available.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo to offer full-day of Independence Day fun", 28 June 2017
The skulls might have been displayed as part of ancestor worship, or as trophies to show off the remains of dead enemies.

— andrew curry, Science | AAAS, "Carved human skulls found in ancient stone temple", 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trophy'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of trophy

Middle French trophee, from Medieval Latin tropheum, from Latin tropaeum, trophaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of a turning, of a rout, from tropē turn, rout, from trepein to turn

NEW!

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

-trophy

noun combining form tro·phy

Definition of -trophy

: nutrition : nurture : growth dystrophy

Origin and Etymology of -trophy

New Latin -trophia, from Greek, from -trophos nourishing, from trephein

TROPHY Defined for English Language Learners

trophy

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noun

Definition of trophy for English Language Learners

: an object (such as a large cup or sculpture) that is given as a prize for winning a competition
: something that you keep or take to show that you were successful in hunting, war, etc.

TROPHY Defined for Kids

trophy

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noun tro·phy \ˈtrō-fē\

Definition of trophy for Students

plural

trophies

1 : something given to celebrate a victory or as an award for achievement I won the bowling trophy.
2 : something taken in battle or conquest especially as a memorial