Triumvirate

/tɹaɪˈʌmvəɹət/ noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A council of three magistrates ruling jointly; specifically, the First Triumvirate (60 or 59 – 53 B.C.E.) or the Second Triumvirate (43 – 33 or 27 B.C.E.); the office of a triumvir (“one of such magistrates”), or of the three triumviri.
  • Grammar: triumvirate is listed as noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: aristocracy, autarchy, autonomy, bipartisanship.
  • Useful contrasts: monarchy, one man rule, one person rule.
  • Usage evidence: […] I muſt not forget to ſet dovvne a pretie jeſt, vvhich hath been reported by many as touching Lepidus: It happened during the time of his Triumvirat, […]

How to use "triumvirate"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "triumvirate" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "triumvirate" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

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Compare nearby meanings

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  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
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Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "triumvirate" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

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3. Confirm with context

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Final meaning check

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Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A council of three magistrates ruling jointly; specifically, the First Triumvirate (60 or 59 – 53 B.C.E.) or the Second Triumvirate (43 – 33 or 27 B.C.E.); the office of a triumvir (“one of such magistrates”), or of the three triumviri. Ancient-Rome, historical

    "[…] I muſt not forget to ſet dovvne a pretie jeſt, vvhich hath been reported by many as touching Lepidus: It happened during the time of his Triumvirat, […]"

  2. 2
    a group of three men responsible for public administration or civil authority wordnet
  3. 3
    Any group of three joint rulers. broadly

    "Then vvas contriued a petition, as from the generalitie, vnto the triumuirat Gouernors; vvherein they ſupplicated, that by no meanes they ſhould reſigne the gouernment to any ſhould come from England, vpon vvhat tearmes ſoeuer, vntill ſix moneths after the returne of their ſhip ſent to the VVeſt-Indies: […]"

  4. 4
    Any group of three people regarded as significant in some way; also (rare), a group of three things; a trio. broadly, figuratively

    "I have therefore alvvayes endevoured to compoſe thoſe fevvds and angry diſſentions betvveene affection, faith, and reaſon. For there is in our ſoule a kind of Triumvirate, or triple government of three competitors, vvhich diſtract the peace of this our Common-vvealth, not leſſe than did that other the State of Rome."

Antonyms

monarchyone man ruleone person rulesingle leader

Example

"[…] I muſt not forget to ſet dovvne a pretie jeſt, vvhich hath been reported by many as touching Lepidus: It happened during the time of his Triumvirat, […]"

Common questions

What does "triumvirate" mean?

A council of three magistrates ruling jointly; specifically, the First Triumvirate (60 or 59 – 53 B.C.E.) or the Second Triumvirate (43 – 33 or 27 B.C.E.); the office of a triumvir (“one of such magistrates”), or of the three triumviri.

What is a synonym for "triumvirate"?

Common synonyms include: aristocracy, autarchy, autonomy, bipartisanship, clover, collaboration.

How do you use "triumvirate" in a sentence?

[…] I muſt not forget to ſet dovvne a pretie jeſt, vvhich hath been reported by many as touching Lepidus: It happened during the time of his Triumvirat, […]

How do you pronounce "triumvirate"?

Pronounced /tɹaɪˈʌmvəɹət/.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *tréyes Proto-Italic *trēs Latin trium Proto-Indo-European *weyh₁-? Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós Proto-Italic *wiros Latin vir Latin triumvir Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Italic *-tus Latin -tus, -tūs Latin -ātus Latin triumvirātuslbor. ▲ Latin -ātusder. English -ate English triumvirate Learned borrowing from Latin triumvirātus (“triumvirate”) (see -ate (suffix forming nouns denoting offices or ranks)), itself derived from triumvir (“member of a triumvirate”) + -ātus (“-ate”, suffix forming nouns denoting offices or ranks, or groups of officials associated with such offices or ranks); and triumvir from trium (“of three”) (the genitive form of trēs (“three”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *tréyes (“three”)) + vir (“adult male human, man”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *wiHrós (“man”)). By surface analysis, triumvir + -ate.

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