Triumph Meaning
/ˈtɹaɪ̯ʌmf/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA conclusive success following an effort, conflict, or confrontation of obstacles; victory; conquest.
nounA magnificent and imposing ceremonial performed in honor of a victor.
Sentence Examples
Our team came home in triumph.
It was the triumph of civilization over force.
The bridge is a triumph of modern engineering.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Winning the championship was a great ____ for the team after a difficult season.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Winning the final match of the tournament was a great ____ for the young team after all their hard work this year today.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
"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]:
"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 triumph"
— c. 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]:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Winning the championship was a great ____ for the team after a difficult season.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Winning the final match of the tournament was a great ____ for the young team after all their hard work this year today.