triumph

plural triumphs

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

   the triumph of knowledge

   2 more examples

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

   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

2. countableuncountableA magnificent and imposing ceremonial performed in honor of a victor.
3. countableobsoleteuncountableAny 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]

4. countableuncountableA 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

   1 more example

   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

5. countableobsoleteuncountableA trump card.

   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]

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

   This wedding cake is a triumph.

   1 more example

   Scorsese's latest film is a triumph.

9. countableuncountableA 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.

present singular third person triumphs · participle present triumphing · participle past triumphed · past triumphed

1. To celebrate victory with pomp; to rejoice over success; to exult in an advantage gained; to exhibit exultation.

   How long shall the wicked triumph?

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

   2 more examples

   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

   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]

2. 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

3. 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

   1 more example

   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

4. To be prosperous; to flourish.

   where commerce triumphed on the favouring gales

   1774, John Trumbull, An Elegy on the Times

5. To play a trump in a card game.

   Of the kings and the queens that triumph in the cards

   1625, Ben Jonson, The Fortunate Isles and Their Union

1. A former make of British motor car.