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

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

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).

Apr 24, 2026 · 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, …

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.

Defeat is the act of being beaten or subdued in a competition, conflict, or struggle. It refers to the state of losing against an opponent, whether in a literal game, battle, or any form of contest, or …

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

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).

defeat: To do better than (another) in a competition or battle; win victory over; beat.