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trump

noun \ ˈtrəmp \
1 a : a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is not of this suit — called also trump card
b : the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand —often used in plural
2 : a decisive overriding factor or final resource — called also trump card
3 : a dependable and exemplary person

Origin and Etymology of trump

alteration of 1triumph
2

trump

verb
trumped; trumping; trumps
transitive verb
1 : to get the better of : override
  • where ambition invariably trumps loyalty
  • —Michael Kramer
2 : to play a trump on (a card or trick) when another suit was led
intransitive verb
: to play a trump when another suit was led

See trump defined for English-language learners

Examples of trump in a Sentence

  1. She trumped my ace to win the trick.

  2. Their offer for the house was trumped by a higher bid.

  3. The need for blood donors trumps all other concerns.

First Known Use of trump

1586

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

See Words from the same year
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Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

3

trump

noun
1 a : trumpet
b chiefly Scotland : jew's harp
2 : a sound of or as if of trumpeting
  • the trump of doom

Origin and Etymology of trump

Middle English trompe, from Anglo-French trumpe, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trumba, trumpa trumpet

Trump

biographical name \ ˈtrəmp \
Donald J(ohn) 1946–     American businessman and politician; 45th president of the U.S. (2017–  )

Phrases Related to TRUMP

Related Phrases

TRUMP Defined for English Language Learners

trump

verb

  • : to beat (another card) by playing a card from the suit that beats the other suits : to play a trump card to beat (another card)

  • : to do better than (someone or something) in a contest, competition, etc.

  • : to be more important than (something)

Learn More about trump

  1. See words that rhyme with trump Spanish Central: Translation of trump Nglish: Translation of trump for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trump for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about trump

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