1 de·feat
Pronounced:
/dɪˈfi:t/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
de·feats; de·feat·ed; de·feat·ingMeaning:
[+ 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
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