triumvirate

noun

tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət 

1

: a body of triumvirs

2

: the office or government of triumvirs

3

: a group or association of three

Did you know?

The first triumvirate of the Roman Republic, which consisted of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, was simply an alliance or partnership, not a formal institution of the government. The alliance didn't last long, however, and Caesar eventually emerged with total power. This led to his assassination, after which a second triumvirate took over, with Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus dividing the Roman world among themselves. But these triumvirs also soon turned on one another, with Octavian alone taking power; in time he would become Rome's first emperor.

Synonyms

• threesome
• triad
• trifecta
• trinity
• trio
• triple
• triplet

Examples of triumvirate in a Sentence

among the city's cultural institutions, the art museum, the symphony orchestra, and the opera company reign as the supreme triumvirate

Recent Examples on the Web

Davis: And Mike Elizondo, our producer, is just so important to mention here as the third in our triumvirate because another huge character was the band. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024

Together, with another lower gut hormone called PYY, this triumvirate is critical for coordinating your body’s response to food by regulating your appetite and blood sugar. —Christopher Damman, The Conversation, 14 June 2024

With the triumvirate of Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi leading the front line, it was hoped Pochettino would be the man to lead PSG to Champions League glory. —Rudy Chinchilla, NBC News, 10 Sep. 2024

Anything could still happen, including an unforeseen calamity that might prevent one of the vaunted triumvirate from advancing out of the preliminary heats Saturday morning. —Dave Sheinin, Washington Post, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

triumvirate

noun

tri·​um·​vi·​rate trī-ˈəm-və-rət 

1

: government by three persons who share authority and responsibility

2

: the office or term of office of a triumvir

3

: a group of three persons or things having something in common