1
a
: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is not of this suit
called also trump card
b
: the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand
—often used in plural
2
: a decisive overriding factor or final resource
called also trump card
3
: a dependable and exemplary person
trumped; trumping; trumps
1
: to get the better of : override
where ambition invariably trumps loyalty—
Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer2
: to play a trump on (a card or trick) when another suit was led
: to play a trump when another suit was led
1
a
: trumpet
b
chiefly Scotland
: jew's harp
2
: a sound of or as if of trumpeting
the trump of doom
Examples of trump in a Sentence
Verb
She trumped my ace to win the trick.
Their offer for the house was trumped by a higher bid.
The need for blood donors trumps all other concerns.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Leo, however, is an American who might best trump the president in a quick quiz on democracy.
—Emmett Coyne, The Hill, 23 May 2025
In the business of flying people through the air at 40,000 feet, one brand promise trumps all others: safety.
—Allen Adamson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
In this case, Lyon finishing sixth would trump Palace’s final position in the Premier League, granting the French side access to the second-tier Europa League.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trump
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Verb
Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Los Angeles giving up Anthony Davis for Doncic likely trumps any deal that the Bulls could have offered the Mavericks.
—Matt Levine, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Leo, however, is an American who might best trump the president in a quick quiz on democracy.
—Emmett Coyne, The Hill, 23 May 2025
In the business of flying people through the air at 40,000 feet, one brand promise trumps all others: safety.
—Allen Adamson, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
In this case, Lyon finishing sixth would trump Palace’s final position in the Premier League, granting the French side access to the second-tier Europa League.
—Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for trump
Cite this Entry
“Trump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
trump
1 of 2 noun1
: a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is of a different suit
also
: the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand
—often used in plural
2
trump
2 of 2 verb1
: to take with a trump
trump another player's card
2
: to play a trump
3
: to get the better of : outdo
trumped her competitors
Biographical Definition
Trump
biographical name
Donald J(ohn) 1946– American businessman and politician; 45th and 47th president of the U.S. (2017–21; 2025- )
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