defeats; defeated; defeating
1
: to win a victory over (someone or something) in a war, contest, game, etc.
We lost to their team last year, but this year we're going to defeat [=beat] them.
We must be ready to defeat our enemies in battle.
Our candidate defeated him in the last election.
He defeated his opponent.
2
a
: to cause (someone or something) to fail
She finally found a solution to a problem that had defeated many other researchers.
The bill was defeated in the state senate.
It would defeat the purpose of having a nice car if you never got to drive it. [=there would be no reason to have a nice car if you did not drive it]
b
: to control or overcome (something)
Scientists from around the world are working to defeat the disease.
plural defeats
1
: failure to succeed or to win
We weren't prepared for defeat.
One small error could make the difference between success and defeat.
After several tries we were forced to accept/admit/concede defeat.
The bill suffered defeat [=the bill was defeated] in the state senate.
Even in defeat [=even when he didn't win], he was a hero to those who loved the sport.
—usually singularThe passage of the law represented a defeat for their cause.
Her basketball team suffered a bitter/crushing/devastating defeat. [=loss]
That was his first defeat as a professional boxer.
2
: the act of winning a victory over someone or something
They celebrated their defeat of the enemy.
their 6-3 defeat of their rivals [=their 6-3 victory over their rivals]
Cite this Entry
“Defeat.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/defeat. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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