Trojan

1 of 2

noun

Tro·​jan ˈtrō-jən 

1

: a native or inhabitant of Troy

2

: one who shows qualities (such as pluck, endurance, or determined energy) attributed to the defenders of ancient Troy

3

: a merry and often irresponsible or disreputable companion

Trojan

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or resembling ancient Troy or its inhabitants

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a Trojan horse

Examples of Trojan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Against Notre Dame, the collective moan in the Coliseum with yet another last-minute loss because of Riley’s poor play calling was the breaking point for this lifelong Trojan. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Ralph Fiennes’ Odysseus, back from the Trojan War, washes up on the shores of Ithaca after 20 years away, haggard and unrecognizable. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024

Whatever the noble title, Cronenberg wore the moniker with the same winking irony that suffuses so much of his work – using genre as a kind of Trojan horse to get his unique vision to travel. —Ben Croll, Variety, 1 Dec. 2024

But before all this, still in the heat of the Trojan War, the mighty Greek warrior Achilles gets an unexpected visit from Priam, King of Troy. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Latin trojanus of Troy, from Troia, Troja Troy, from Greek Trōïa

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing Trojan

• Trojan horse
• Trojan War
• work like a Trojan

Kids Definition

Trojan

noun

Tro·​jan

ˈtrō-jən

: a person born or living in ancient Troy

Trojan adjective