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trophy

noun
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tro·​phy | \ ˈtrō-fē How to pronounce trophy (audio) \
plural trophies

Definition of trophy

 (Entry 1 of 2)

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 victory
b : 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 attributivelya trophy wifea trophy house

-trophy

noun combining form

Definition of -trophy (Entry 2 of 2)

: nutrition : nurture : growth dystrophy
Other Words from trophy Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about trophy

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Other Words from trophy

Noun

trophy transitive verb

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun And then the dancers came out to try to make that trophy their own. — Bill Keveney, USA TODAY, "'Dancing With the Stars': Chrishell Stause, Jeannie Mai offer emotional stories; huge upset averted," 20 Oct. 2020 The museum ultimately decided to remove 120 human remains, including the tsantsas, Naga trophy heads and an Egyptian mummy of a child. — Danica Kirka, USA TODAY, "UK museum removes shrunken heads from exhibit in an effort to 'decolonize' its collections," 15 Sep. 2020 The economics are similar to owning a blue chip investment bank, even if the social cachet is on another level (arch-rival Christie’s is owned by the Pinaults, no strangers to trophy assets). — Chris Hughes | Bloomberg, Washington Post, "Billionaire Art Lover Pays a Da Vinci-Style Price for Sotheby’s," 18 June 2019 Fishermen are catching good to excellent numbers of silvery and post-spawn steelhead trout on the Rocky, Chagrin and Cuyahoga rivers, from young skippers to trophy trout. — cleveland.com, "Fishing Report for April 13: Rainbows in the Rocky; Wallace Lake drawn down," 13 Apr. 2018 What other sport can boast so many all-time superstars who never once got to hoist a trophy? — Jon Tayler, SI.com, "The Astros' World Series Victory is Redemption for the Deserving Carlos Beltran," 2 Nov. 2017 No area teams brought home trophies, but South Milwaukee finished third in Division 1 and Port Washington third in Division 2.. Middleton (76) and Stevens Point (177) finished ahead of South Milwaukee (191) in Division 1. — Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "State boys cross country: Homestead's Drew Bosley meets expectations with a title," 28 Oct. 2017 The Chargers get to keep the Battle for the Bell trophy, though. — David Carrillo Peñaloza, Daily Pilot, "Edison owns Fountain Valley in the Battle for the Bell football rivalry," 27 Oct. 2017 There are still many trophy wives, princesses and doting mothers in denial about all the blood on the hands of their sons and husbands. — Malcolm Beith, Newsweek, "El Chapo Is Going Down. How Many Drug Lords, Assassins, Politicians and Policemen Will He Take with Him?," 19 Oct. 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.

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First Known Use of trophy

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for trophy

Noun

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

Noun combining form

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

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Time Traveler for trophy

Time Traveler

The first known use of trophy was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Trophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trophy. Accessed 25 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for trophy

trophy

noun
How to pronounce -trophy (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of trophy

: 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.

See the full definition for trophy in the English Language Learners Dictionary

trophy

noun
tro·​phy | \ ˈtrō-fē How to pronounce trophy (audio) \
plural trophies

Kids Definition of trophy

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on trophy

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trophy

Nglish: Translation of trophy for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of trophy for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trophy

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