trophy

1 of 2

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē How to pronounce trophy (audio)
plural trophies
1
: something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial
2
a
: a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victory
b
: a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal)
also : an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons
3
: a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy
usually used attributively
4
: one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status
usually used attributively
a trophy wife
a trophy house
trophy transitive verb

-trophy

2 of 2

noun combining form

: nutrition : nurture : growth
dystrophy

Examples of trophy in a Sentence

Noun the mogul's latest trophies include a winter mansion in the Bahamas and a new sports car
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Yet the sight of a fine trophy is still too much for him. Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024 In the post, Jeter uploaded photos of him from the day, including various shots of commentating and another of him posing with the trophy. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 Dotting the room are other whimsical objects Potter fans will recognize: the Sorting Hat, a Triwizard trophy and Godric Gryffindor’s sword. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 5 Nov. 2024 Competition figures to be stiff, with Allen, Garvey, Boyer, and Parker past winners of Most Valuable Player trophies and both John and Tiant pitchers who won more than 200 games. Dan Schlossberg, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for trophy 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French trophee, from Medieval Latin tropheum, from Latin tropaeum, trophaeum, from Greek tropaion, from neuter of tropaios of a turning, of a rout, from tropē turn, rout, from trepein to turn

Noun combining form

New Latin -trophia, from Greek, from -trophos nourishing, from trephein

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of trophy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near trophy

Cite this Entry

“Trophy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trophy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

trophy

noun
tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē How to pronounce trophy (audio)
plural trophies
1
: something taken from the enemy in victory or conquest especially when kept and displayed as proof of one's bravery or victory
took the enemy's flags as trophies
2
: something given in recognition of a victory or as an award for achievement
a golf trophy
trophied
-fēd
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on trophy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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