Trojan

1 of 2

noun

Tro·​jan ˈtrō-jən How to pronounce Trojan (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The little pendants around our necks will be a hundred million Trojan horses, smuggling A.I. into every aspect of our lives. Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 28 May 2025 Homer, chronicler of the Trojan War, was extremely sensitive to this. Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025 Stanford’s impossible upset as a 41-point underdog in a conference game was the beginning of the end of the Trojan empire, too. David Ubben, New York Times, 22 May 2025 Yet, for a university that steeps itself in its Trojan traditions, commencement had already been forced to bend with the times. Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for Trojan

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of Trojan was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Trojan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Trojan. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

Trojan

noun
Tro·​jan
ˈtrō-jən
: a person born or living in ancient Troy
Trojan adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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