Translate defeat | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of defeat
verb
[with object] win a victory over (someone) in a battle or other contest; overcome or beat:Arab armies defeated the Byzantine garrison prevent (someone) from achieving an aim:she was defeated by the last steep hill prevent (an aim) from being achieved:don’t cheat by allowing your body to droop—this defeats the object of the exercise reject or block (a motion or proposal):the amendment was defeated be impossible for (someone) to understand:this line of reasoning defeats me, I must confess Law render null and void; annul.
noun
an instance of defeating or being defeated:the defeat of the Armada in 1588 she had still not quite admitted defeat
