Triumph means a great victory or achievement, especially one that comes after difficulty or struggle. When you triumph over something, you've overcome a real challenge and succeeded. A scientist might triumph after years of failed experiments by finally making a breakthrough discovery. A team triumphs when they win the championship after a hard-fought season.

The word carries a feeling of pride and celebration. It means winning in a way that feels earned and significant. When you triumph, you've proven something to yourself or others. A student who struggles with reading but finally finishes a challenging book has achieved a personal triumph.

Triumph can be used as a noun (“Her recovery was a triumph”) or a verb (“They triumphed over their rivals”). The word suggests success that matters: the kind that comes from persistence, courage, or skill.

When something is described as triumphant, it means it's characterized by or celebrating triumph. A triumphant smile is the expression of someone who just accomplished something they'd worked hard for.