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
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
National security trumps a little bit more inflation.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Then the council placed Question 2D, the recreational marijuana prohibition measure — an amendment to the city charter that could have trumped 300 — on the same ballot.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Experience trumps everything in the playoffs, and the Chiefs have plenty of it.
—Noah Camras, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for trump 
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Verb
Club members know: Discipline always trumps conviction.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2025
National security trumps a little bit more inflation.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
Then the council placed Question 2D, the recreational marijuana prohibition measure — an amendment to the city charter that could have trumped 300 — on the same ballot.
—John Aguilar, The Denver Post, 19 Jan. 2025
Experience trumps everything in the playoffs, and the Chiefs have plenty of it.
—Noah Camras, Newsweek, 16 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 2 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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