defeat

present singular third person defeats · participle present defeating · participle past defeated · past defeated · first person past singular defeated · archaic present second person singular defeatest · past second person singular defeated · archaic past second person singular defeatedst · present singular third person defeats · archaic present singular third person defeateth · past singular third person defeated · past plural defeated · past subjunctive defeated · participle present defeating · participle past defeated

1. transitiveTo overcome in battle or contest.

   Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

   3 more examples

   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.

   1917, Samuel Couling, “Japanese Relations with China”, in The Encyclopaedia Sinica, Literature House, Ltd., published 1964, →OCLC, page 255, column 2

   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.

   1980 August 1 [1980 May 1], Ching-kuo Chiang, “President Chiang Ching-kuo continues his period of mourning and finds that visits to countryside and people give him renewed strength”, in Taiwan Today, archived from the original on 17 May 2020

   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.

   2026 March 4, Arlette Saenz, “James Talarico defeats Jasmine Crockett to win Democratic primary in Texas Senate race”, in CNN, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2026

2. transitiveTo reduce, to nothing, the strength of.

   In one instance he defeated his own purpose.

   1879, Adolphus Ward, “Chaucer”, in English Men of Letters

   1 more example

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

   1664, John Tillotson, “Sermon I. The Wisdom of Being Religious. Job XXVIII. 28.”, in The Works of the Most Reverend Dr. John Tillotson, Late Lord Archbishop of Canterbury: […], London: […] B. Aylmer, […]; [a]nd W. Rogers, […], published 1696, →OCLC

3. transitiveTo nullify

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

   1827, Henry Hallam, The Constitutional History of England from the Accession of Henry VII. to the Death of George II. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], →OCLC

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.

   1962 January, “Motive Power Miscellany: London Midland Region: Central Lines”, in Modern Railways, page 60

plural defeats

1. countableuncountableThe 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.

   1 more example

   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.

   2012 May 13, Alistair Magowan, “Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport

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

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

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

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

   2008, Gene Porter, A Daughter of the Land, volume 1, →ISBN, page 17

   1 more example

   ... 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.

   1909, The Southern Reporter, page 250

4. countableobsoleteuncountableDestruction, ruin.

   and made defeat of her virginity

   1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]