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
trumped; trumping; trumps
1
: to get the better of : override
where ambition invariably trumps loyalty—
Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer2
: to play a trump on (a card or trick) when another suit was led
: to play a trump when another suit was led
1
a
: trumpet
b
chiefly Scotland
: jew's harp
2
: a sound of or as if of trumpeting
the trump of doom
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Here’s a real picture of trump actually asleep at this weeks US Open.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Quality trumped quantity in every measure that mattered.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trump
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Noun
Because of the way that resources are distributed in our fundamentally unequal society, very few people hold the trump cards in terms of wealth and resources over the whole rest of the population.
—Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 2025
Here’s a real picture of trump actually asleep at this weeks US Open.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Then Dowdle somehow trumped last week with a tremendous game against the Cowboys Sunday, setting a franchise record with 239 total yards from scrimmage in Carolina’s 30-27 shootout victory over Dallas.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 12 Oct. 2025
Quality trumped quantity in every measure that mattered.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for trump
Cite this Entry
“Trump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trump
1 of 2 noun1
: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is of a different suit
also
: the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand
—often used in plural
2
trump
2 of 2 verb1
: to take with a trump
trump another player's card
2
: to play a trump
3
: to get the better of : outdo
trumped her competitors
Biographical Definition
Trump
biographical name
Donald J(ohn) 1946– American businessman and politician; 45th and 47th president of the U.S. (2017–21; 2025- )
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