triumph

1 of 2

noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs ˈtrī-əm(p)fs  -əm(p)s 

1

a

: a victory or conquest by or as if by military force

b

: a notable success

The party was a triumph.

Quitting smoking was a personal triumph.

2

: the joy or exultation of victory or success

stood atop the mountain in triumph

3

: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy compare ovation sense 2

triumphal

trī-ˈəm(p)-fəl 

adjective

triumph

2 of 2

verb

triumphed; triumphing; triumphs

intransitive verb

1

: to obtain victory : prevail

good triumphing over evil

2

a

: to receive the honor of a triumph

b

: to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

Synonyms of triumph

Noun

• success
• achievement
• accomplishment

Verb

• win
• prevail

Examples of triumph in a Sentence

Noun

They earned a magnificent triumph over the invading army.

They were able to achieve an important triumph against their chief rivals.

Quitting smoking was a personal triumph for her.

The party was a triumph.

The bridge is an engineering triumph.

They had a feeling of triumph after finishing the project.

They stood atop the mountain in triumph.

Verb

His favorite team triumphed in the championship game.

despite an accident early on, the runner persevered and ultimately triumphed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It's been a year filled with change that's turned Washington norms upside down and a year filled with news of great tragedy, but also moments of true triumph. —CBS News, 28 Dec. 2025

Its revival by Rocco Forte Hotels was celebrated as a triumph for the city. —Laura Itzkowitz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

Verb

The Carolina Panthers triumphed in what was one of the franchise’s most consequential games in the past 10 years, and there was a lot of credit to go around. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 22 Dec. 2025

Yet McNamara triumphed in many of these power struggles, and in doing so put his stamp on the office to a greater extent than any secretary of defense before him or since. —Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English triumphe, from Old French, from Latin triumphus

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triumph

1 of 2 noun

tri·​umph ˈtrī-əm(p)f 

plural triumphs

1

: an ancient Roman ceremony honoring a victorious general

2

: the joy of victory or success

3

a

: a military victory or conquest

b

: any great success

a scientific triumph

triumph

2 of 2 verb

1

: to celebrate victory or success with much rejoicing

2

: to gain victory : win