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

2

: the joy or exultation of victory or success

3

: a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy compare ovation sense 1

triumphal

trī-ˈəm(p)-fəl 

adjective

triumph

2 of 2

verb

triumphed; triumphing; triumphs

intransitive verb

1

: to obtain victory : prevail

2

a

: to receive the honor of a triumph

b

: to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

Synonyms

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

In the modern era, those two league triumphs would have resulted in promotion, but back then, there was no automatic promotion or relegation between the fourth and fifth tiers. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2025

The Americans own a 488-minute scoreless streak in Jersey, dating back to a World Cup warm-up match, a 2-1 triumph over Turkey on June 1, 2014. —Michael Lewis, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025

Verb

Their first book, Manacled, took place in an alternate Harry Potter universe where The Boy Who Lived actually died and evil wizard Voldermort triumphed, according to the Times. —Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 11 Sep. 2025

When their paths inevitably cross again, the central question becomes whether these two lovers can overcome their resentment and past wounds, and whether their ​l​ove can triumph against all odds. —Veronica Villafañe, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 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