Meaning & Definition of Defeat in English

Detailed Definitions

• Definition: To win a victory over someone in a battle or competition.

  Example Sentence: The team aimed to defeat their rivals in the championship.

• Definition: To prevent someone from achieving something.

  Example Sentence: The new policies are designed to defeat corruption.

• Definition: A state of being defeated.

  Example Sentence: The defeat left the team frustrated and disheartened.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English, from Old French 'defait', past participle of 'defaire', from Latin 'defacere' meaning to do away with.

Synonyms

Common Phrases and Expressions

• face defeat: To experience a loss or failure.
• final defeat: The ultimate loss in a series of contests or battles.
• defeat the odds: To overcome significant challenges or difficulties.

Translations

• Spanish: derrota

• French: défaite

• German: Niederlage

• Russian: поражение

Related Words

• defeated: Having been overcome in a contest.

• defeatism: The belief that defeat is inevitable.

Slang Meanings of defeat

• Meaning: Getting schooled

  Example Sentence: He really got schooled in that game.

• Meaning: Getting wrecked

  Example Sentence: We totally got wrecked in that match.