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

Unfortunately, pandemic restrictions on public gatherings meant there was no championship parade, and the title proved to be the lone triumph of James’ Lakers era. — Law Murray, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

The Buckeyes swept that series before the two sides met again in the 1988 NIT championship at Madison Square Garden, a 72-67 triumph for the Huskies that marked UConn’s first title in a national postseason event. — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 19 Aug. 2026

Verb

After two jittery routines to start her competition, Claire triumphed with a stick to rocket ahead of Blakely and Carey. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

And in June, when Andy Burnham triumphed in a by-election on his way to becoming prime minister just a month later, he was flanked in victory by a 6-foot furry fox and a man in superhero spandex. — Mark Rice-Oxley, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Aug. 2026

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