Definition of "defeat" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To overcome in battle or contest.

   • Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

2. (transitive) To reduce, to nothing, the strength of.

3. (transitive) To nullify

4. To prevent (something) from being achieved.

noun

1. The act or instance of being defeated, of being overcome or vanquished; a loss.

   • Licking their wounds after a temporary defeat, they planned their next move.

2. The act or instance of defeating, of overcoming, vanquishing.

   • The inscription records her defeat of the country's enemies in a costly war.

3. Frustration (by prevention of success), stymieing; (law) nullification.

4. (obsolete) Destruction, ruin.