The meaning of DEFEAT is to win victory over : beat. How to use defeat in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Defeat.

DEFEAT definition: to overcome in a contest, election, battle, etc.; prevail over; vanquish. See examples of defeat used in a sentence.

DEFEAT meaning: 1. to win against someone in a fight, war, or competition: 2. to cause someone or something to…. Learn more.

Defeat is the experience of being beaten in a battle, game, or contest, or of failing to achieve what you wanted to. The most important thing is not to admit defeat until you really have to.

To do better than (another) in a competition or battle; win victory over; beat: "Whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same" (Thomas Paine).

6 days ago · Noun defeat (countable and uncountable, plural defeats) The act or instance of being defeated, of being overcome or vanquished; a loss.

Defeat suggests beating or frustrating: to defeat an enemy in battle. Conquer implies finally gaining control over, usually after a series of efforts or against systematic resistance: to conquer a country, …

Definition of defeat. English dictionary and integrated thesaurus for learners, writers, teachers, and students with advanced, intermediate, and beginner levels.

To do better than (another) in a competition or battle; win victory over; beat: "Whether we defeat the enemy in one battle, or by degrees, the consequences will be the same" (Thomas Paine).

There are 16 meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb defeat, five of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.