triumvirate

[ trahy-uhm-ver-it, -vuh-reyt ]
/ traɪˈʌm vər ɪt, -vəˌreɪt /

noun

Roman History. the office or magistracy of a triumvir.
a government of three officers or magistrates functioning jointly.
a coalition of three magistrates or rulers for joint administration.
any association of three in office or authority.
any group or set of three.

Origin of triumvirate

From the Latin word triumvirātus, dating back to 1575–85. See triumvir, -ate3

Example sentences from the Web for triumvirate

British Dictionary definitions for triumvirate

triumvirate
/ (traɪˈʌmvɪrɪt) /

noun

(in ancient Rome)
  1. a board of three officials jointly responsible for some task
  2. the political alliance of Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey, formed in 60 bc (First Triumvirate)
  3. the coalition and joint rule of the Roman Empire by Antony, Lepidus, and Octavian, begun in 43 bc (Second Triumvirate)
any joint rule by three men
any group of three men associated in some way
the office of a triumvir