2 defeat
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural defeatsMeaning:
1 : failure to succeed or to win [noncount] ▪ 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. [count] —usually singular ▪ The 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. —opposite victory
2 [count] : 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]
2 [count] : 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]
go down to defeat
: to fail or lose : to be defeated ▪ The bill went down to defeat in the House.