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trump

noun (1)
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\ ˈtrəmp How to pronounce trump (audio) \

Definition of trump

 (Entry 1 of 4)

1a : 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

trump

verb
trumped; trumping; trumps

Definition of trump (Entry 2 of 4)

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

trump

noun (2)

Definition of trump (Entry 3 of 4)

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

Trump

biographical name
\ ˈtrəmp How to pronounce Trump (audio) \

Definition of Trump (Entry 4 of 4)

Donald J(ohn) 1946–     American businessman and politician; 45th president of the U.S. (2017–21)

Examples of trump in a Sentence

Verb She trumped my ace to win the trick. Their offer for the house was trumped by a higher bid. The need for blood donors trumps all other concerns.
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First Known Use of trump

Noun (1)

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1586, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for trump

Noun (1)

alteration of triumph entry 1

Noun (2)

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

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Time Traveler for trump

Time Traveler

The first known use of trump was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Trump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for trump

trump

verb

English Language Learners Definition of trump

: 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)

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on trump

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for 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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