victors

Victors is the plural form of Victor and refers to people who have achieved victory in a contest, competition, or conflict. The term can also function as a descriptive label for the winners of a specific event, such as "the victors of the tournament." In some contexts, Victors may appear as a proper name or title.

The word derives from Latin victor, meaning conqueror, from the verb vincere "to conquer." In English it has been in use since the Middle Ages as a general term for someone who defeats an opponent. The phrase the victors is a common counterpart to the vanquished in historical and literary contexts.

In cultural and political discourse, victors are often characterized as the agents who shape outcomes and narratives after a conflict or competition. The familiar proverb "History is written by the victors" reflects this emphasis, though its precise origin is debated. In modern use, victors may refer to winners in elections, sports leagues, academic contests, or awards.

Variations of the term occur in names: Victor is a common given name in many languages, with cognates such as Viktor or Viktoras; Victors may appear as a surname or as a less common given-name form in some regions. The plural form is rarely used as a standalone proper noun beyond particular titles or shorthand for a group of winners.