tri·umph / ˈtrīəmf/ • n. 1. a great victory or achievement: a garden built to celebrate Napoleon's many triumphs. ∎  the state of being victorious or successful: the king returned home in triumph. ∎  joy or satisfaction resulting from a success or victory: “Here it is!” Helen's voice rose in triumph. ∎  a highly successful example of something: the marriage had been a triumph of togetherness.2. the processional entry of a victorious general into ancient Rome.• v. [intr.] 1. achieve a victory; be successful: capitalism seems to have triumphed over socialism. ∎  rejoice or exult at a victory or success: “There!” triumphed Alima.2. (of a Roman general) ride into ancient Rome after a victory.

triumph (Rom. hist.) solemn entry of a victorious general into Rome; victorious achievement XIV. — OF. triumphe (mod. triomphe) — L. triumphus, earlier triumpus, prob. — Gr. thríambos hymn to Bacchus.
So vb. XVI. triumphal (-AL1), triumphant (-ANT) XV. — (O)F. or L.

triumph the processional entry of a victorious general with his army and spoils of the campaign into ancient Rome, permission for which was granted by the senate in honour of an important achievement in war. Recorded from late Middle English, the word comes via Old French from Latin triump(h)us, probably from Greek thriambos ‘hymn to Bacchus’.