Definition of trump
1a : a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is not of this suit —called also trump cardb : 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
Explore M-W
Origin and Etymology of trump
alteration of 1triumph
First Known Use: 1529
trump
Definition of trump
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
1586
First Known Use of trump
1586
trump
Definition of trump
1a : trumpetb chiefly Scotland : jew's harp
2 : a sound of or as if of trumpeting the trump of doom
Examples of trump in a Sentence
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.
Origin and Etymology of trump
Middle English trompe, from Anglo-French trumpe, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German trumba, trumpa trumpet
First Known Use: 14th century
Trump
playDefinition of Trump
Donald J(ohn) 1946– American businessman and politician; 45th president of the U.S. (2017– )
TRUMP Defined for English Language Learners
trump
Definition of trump for English Language Learners
-
: 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
-
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
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up trump? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!