trophy

1 of 2

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

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

Synonyms

Noun

• boast
• credit
• crown jewel
• glory
• honor
• jewel
• pride
• treasure

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

Noun

But when Sheeran returned last week, Varano was prepared, and gifted the singer a jumbo trophy for his strength. —Megan Johnson, Peoplemag, 28 May 2024

There are subtle equestrian touches, too, such as Ralph Lauren stirrup sconces, custom trophy lamps, and custom leatherwork on throw pillows reminiscent of a bridle and reins. —Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 27 May 2024

By then, the river races were firmly anchored by a silver trophy donated by Mayor William Thompson. —Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 26 May 2024

Senior goes 3-for-3 with an RBI and pitches 6-hitter as Calvin Christian claims championship After playing three sports for four years at Calvin Christian High School in Escondido, Brayden Brown finally got to clutch a CIF trophy Thursday night at UCSD’s Triton Field. —Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2024

The honors even came with a trophy shaped like a giant screw. —Ashley Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

Trending on Billboard Chris Stapleton – who took home three trophies, including male artist, artist-songwriter and album of the year – had the night’s buzziest performance thanks to a surprise appearance from Dua Lipa. —Elias Leight, Billboard, 22 May 2024

Speaking of first-timers, the ascendant Northfield athletic program will get to add another piece of hardware to its trophy case after the Nighthawks claimed their first 4A boys team title. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 18 May 2024

Winehouse took home five trophies that night, joining Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys, and a handful of others in the ranks of female artists who have won that many victories in a single evening. —Allaire Nuss, EW.com, 18 May 2024

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

Phrases Containing trophy

• trophy wife

Kids Definition

trophy

noun

tro·​phy ˈtrō-fē 

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