Etymology 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.
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.
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Only a handful of rock musicians have become genuine icons - larger-than-life symbolic figures whose personal triumphs and vicissitudes seem to mirror the ups and downs of rock as a whole, and sometimes of the society that nurtures it. Often, rock icons become the objects of personality cults that tend to overshadow their musical accomplishments.1981 May 31, Robert Palmer, “Two Icons of Rock Music”, in The New York Times, →ISSN, archived from the original on 18 Apr 2023:
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A magnificent and imposing ceremonial performed in honor of a victor.
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Obsolete Any triumphal procession; a pompous exhibition; a stately show or pageant.
We are ready, & our daughter heere, / In honour of whoſe Birth, theſe Triumphs are, / Sits heere like Beauties child,c. 1607–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, [George Wilkins?], The Late, and Much Admired Play, Called Pericles, Prince of Tyre. […], London: […] [William White and Thomas Creede] for Henry Gosson, […], published 1609, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii]:
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A state of joy or exultation at success.
Great triumph and rejoicing was in heaven.1667, John Milton, “Book VII”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC:
Hercules from Spain / Arrived in triumph, from Geryon slain.1697, Virgil, “Aeneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
Eros has Packt Cards with Cæsars, and false plaid my Glory Unto an Enemies triumphc. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
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A card game, also called trump.
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Ancient Rome, Historical a ceremony held to publicly celebrate and sanctify the military achievement of an army commander.
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A work of art, cuisine, etc. of very high quality.
Scorsese's latest film is a triumph.
This wedding cake is a triumph.
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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.
To celebrate victory with pomp; to rejoice over success; to exult in an advantage gained; to exhibit exultation.
England is growne to ſuch a paſſe of late, That rich men triumph to ſee the poore beg at their gate.1593, anonymous author, The Life and Death of Iacke Straw […], →OCLC, Act I:
How long shall the wicked triumph?1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalms 94:3:
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Sorrow on thee, and all the packe of you That triumph thus vpon my miſery: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[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
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To prevail over rivals, challenges, or difficulties.
Forſake thy king and do but ioyne with me And we will triumph ouer al the world.c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] 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:
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To succeed, win, or attain ascendancy.
On this occasion, however, genius triumphed.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:
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.2016 March 3, David Thomson, The Guardian:
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To be prosperous; to flourish.
where commerce triumphed on the favouring gales1774, John Trumbull, An Elegy on the Times:
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To play a trump in a card game.
Of the kings and the queens that triumph in the cards1625, Ben Jonson, The Fortunate Isles and Their Union: