1de·feat 
/dɪˈfi:t/ verb
de·feats; de·feat·ed; de·feat·ing /dɪˈfi:t/ verb [+ obj] 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. — see also defeated
▪ 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.
▪ 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. — see also defeated
