triumph

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈtɹaɪ.ʌmf/
• IPA^(key): /ˈtɹaɪ.ʌmpf/, /ˈtɹaɪ.əmf/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

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

triumph (countable and uncountable, plural triumphs)

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

   the triumph of knowledge

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.
   • (Can we date this quote?) William Shakespeare

     Our daughter, / In honour of whose birth these triumphs are, / Sits here, like beauty's child.

4. A state of joy or exultation at success.
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     Great triumph and rejoicing was in heaven.

   • (Can we date this quote?) Dryden

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

5. (obsolete) A trump card.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

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.

From Latin triumphō.

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.
   • Bible, Psalms xciv. 3

     How long shall the wicked triumph?

   • Shakespeare

     Sorrow on thee and all the pack of you / That triumph thus upon my misery!

2. To prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties.
3. To succeed, win, or attain ascendancy.
   • Macaulay

     On this occasion, however, genius triumphed.

   • 2016, David Thomson, Biggest lesson of the 2016 Oscars? The Academy should be scrapped (in The Guardian, 3 March 2016)

     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.
   • Trumbull

     where commerce triumphed on the favouring gales

5. To play a trump in a card game.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Ben Jonson to this entry?)

• triumphal
• triumphant