triumph

English

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtɹaɪ.ʌmf/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈtɹaɪ.əmf/

• Audio (US)

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Etymology 1

From Middle English , borrowed from Old French triumphe, from Latin triumphus (“triumphal procession”), ultimately from Ancient Greek θρίαμβος (thríambos, “thriambus”). Doublet of thriambus and trump.

Noun

triumph (countable and uncountable, plural triumphs)

1. A conclusive success following an effort, conflict, or confrontation of obstacles; victory; conquest.

   the triumph of knowledge

   After being defeated in three previous finals, Roger finally tasted triumph at this year's competition.

2. A magnificent and imposing ceremonial performed in honor of a victor.
3. (obsolete) Any triumphal procession; a pompous exhibition; a stately show or pageant.
   • c. 1607–1608, William Shakeſpeare, The Late, And much admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. , London: Imprinted at London for Henry Goſſon,  , published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:

     We are ready, & our daughter heere, / In honour of whoſe Birth, theſe Triumphs are, / Sits heere like Beauties child,

4. A state of joy or exultation at success.
   • 1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. , London: [Samuel Simmons], , →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: , London: Basil Montagu Pickering , 1873, →OCLC:

     Great triumph and rejoicing was in heaven.

   • 1697, Virgil, “Aeneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. , London: Jacob Tonson, , →OCLC:

     Hercules from Spain / Arrived in triumph, from Geryon slain.

5. (obsolete) A trump card.
   • c. 1606–1607, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :

     Eros has
     Packt Cards with Cæsars, and false plaid my Glory
     Unto an Enemies triumph

6. A card game, also called trump.
7. (historical, Ancient Rome) a ceremony held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the military achievement of an army commander.
8. A work of art, cuisine, etc. of very high quality.

   Scorsese's latest film is a triumph.

   This wedding cake is a triumph.

9. A card trick in which the cards are shuffled with half face-up and half face-down, then laid out so that only the observer's chosen card is facing upward.

Translations

Etymology 2

From Latin triumphō.

Verb

triumph (third-person singular simple present triumphs, present participle triumphing, simple past and past participle triumphed)

1. To celebrate victory with pomp; to rejoice over success; to exult in an advantage gained; to exhibit exultation.
   • 1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw , Act I:

     England is growne to ſuch a paſſe of late,
     That rich men triumph to ſee the poore beg at their gate.

   • 1611, The Holy Bible,  (King James Version), London: Robert Barker, , →OCLC, Psalms 94:3:

     How long shall the wicked triumph?

   • c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :

     Sorrow on thee, and all the packe of you
     That triumph thus vpon my miſery:

2. To prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties.
   • c. 1587–1588, [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. The First Part , 2nd edition, part 1, London: Richard Iones, , published 1592, →OCLC; reprinted as Tamburlaine the Great (A Scolar Press Facsimile), Menston, Yorkshire, London: Scolar Press, 1973, →ISBN, Act I, scene ii:

     Forſake thy king and do but ioyne with me
     And we will triumph ouer al the world.

3. To succeed, win, or attain ascendancy.
   • 1856 February, [Thomas Babington] Macaulay, “Oliver Goldsmith”, in T[homas] F[lower] E[llis], editor, The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay, new edition, London: Longman, Green, Reader, & Dyer, published 1871, →OCLC:

     On this occasion, however, genius triumphed.

   • 2016 March 3, David Thomson, The Guardian‎:

     No one reckoned in advance that he had anything but a very testing job as host. He had to be tough, brave, witty, engaging – and decent. He triumphed on every count, thanks to sheer ability.

4. To be prosperous; to flourish.
   • 1774, John Trumbull, An Elegy on the Times:

     where commerce triumphed on the favouring gales

5. To play a trump in a card game.
   • 1625, Ben Jonson, The Fortunate Isles and Their Union:

     Of the kings and the queens that triumph in the cards

Translations

Related terms

• triumphal
• triumphant