defeat

verb

1. 1

   To overcome in battle or contest.

   Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

   The Japanese defeated the Ming general Tsu Chʻeng-hsün 祖承訓 at Pʻing jang 平壤 in 1592, the first year of Bunroku 文祿 of Japan, and the fighting continued for some years; but at Hideyoshi's death the Japanese troops left Korea.

   My personal success or failure is insignificant; the rise or fall of the nation is my responsibility and must not be shirked. Upon introspection, I feel I am firmer than ever in confidence that the Communists will be defeated. These are feelings which will comfort Father's soul in Heaven.

   The 36-year-old defeats US Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a fiery 44-year-old Democrat from the Dallas area, in a contentious primary that became increasingly personal.

2. 2

   To reduce, to nothing, the strength of.

   He finds himself naturally to dread a superior Being that can defeat all his designs, and disappoint all his hopes.

   In one instance he defeated his own purpose.

3. 3

   To nullify

   The escheators […] defeated the right heir of his succession.

4. 4

   To prevent (something) from being achieved.

   The last active L.Y.R. 0-6-0ST (apart from works shunters), No. 51408, has been moved from Bolton to Agecroft for use in New Bailey Yard, Salford, where a sharp 1 in 27 curve is said to have defeated all attempts so far to employ diesel shunters; an ex-L.Y.R. 0-4-0ST also works here.

noun

1. 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.

   Two defeats in five games coming into this contest, and a draw with Everton, ultimately cost Sir Alex Ferguson's side in what became the most extraordinary finale to the league championship since Arsenal beat Liverpool at Anfield in 1989.

2. 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. 3

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

   ... is subsequently issued to him, in accordance with his perfect equity thus acquired, by a legal fiction which the law creates for the protection, but not for the defeat, of his title.

   She could see no justice in being forced into a position that promised to end in further humiliation and defeat of her hopes.

4. 4

   obsoleteDestruction, ruin.

   and made defeat of her virginity

Forms

plural

defeats

past tense

defeated

past participle

defeated

present participle

defeating

third person singular

defeats