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
Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Effective management trumps digital surveillance, UCSD study says Employing extensive surveillance on remote work doesn’t necessarily mean workers’ productivity will improve, according to a study from UC San Diego and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Rowan certainly hasn’t forgotten, but in her mind, all that is trumped by the off-hand possibility that Cortland’s close association with past-life Lasher gives him insight into present-day Lasher’s motivations.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2025
Club members know: Discipline always trumps conviction.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trump 
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Verb
Many citizens have come to believe that for too long, the rights of criminals have trumped the rights of citizens to be safe and free from violence.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2025
Effective management trumps digital surveillance, UCSD study says Employing extensive surveillance on remote work doesn’t necessarily mean workers’ productivity will improve, according to a study from UC San Diego and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025
Rowan certainly hasn’t forgotten, but in her mind, all that is trumped by the off-hand possibility that Cortland’s close association with past-life Lasher gives him insight into present-day Lasher’s motivations.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2025
Club members know: Discipline always trumps conviction.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trump
Dictionary Entries Near trump
Cite this Entry
“Trump.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trump. Accessed 23 Feb. 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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