What does defeat mean?
Defeat functions as both a verb and a noun in English, describing the outcome of contests, conflicts, and struggles. As a verb, it means to win victory over an opponent, whether in sport, war, politics, or argument — as when one team defeats another or a bill is defeated in parliament. It can also mean to thwart or frustrate an effort, as in circumstances defeated their plans. As a noun, defeat denotes the act or fact of losing: a team may suffer a narrow defeat, or a general admit defeat after a lost campaign. The word carries no inherent emotional charge beyond the negative implication of loss, though phrases like 'crushing defeat' intensify it, while 'graceful in defeat' acknowledges dignity amid failure. Derived terms such as 'undefeated', 'defeatist', and 'defeatism' extend its reach into character description and psychology. Its Latin roots connect it to words like 'defection' and 'effect', reflecting a shared idea of undoing or doing away with something.
To win a victory over someone or something in a battle, contest, or competition.
"She defeated the reigning champion in the semifinal."
To prevent the success of; to thwart or frustrate an attempt, plan, or purpose.
"Poor weather defeated their attempt to reach the summit."
An instance of losing a contest, battle, or struggle; the state of having been beaten.
"The army's defeat was swift and decisive."
Used when referring to multiple instances of losing, often across different events or occasions.
"The club endured several defeats before finally winning a match."
The phrase 'snatching defeat from the jaws of victory' exists because losing when you were about to win is such a universal human experience that English needed a name for it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of defeat
Defeat comes from the Old French verb 'desfeire', meaning to undo or destroy, which itself derives from the Vulgar Latin 'disfacere', combining the Latin prefix 'dis-' (apart) with 'facere' (to do or make). English adopted the word in the late Middle Ages, originally carrying the sense of undoing or nullifying before settling into its modern meanings of overcoming an opponent or losing a contest. It shares this Latin root 'facere' with cognates including 'defection', 'effect', and 'infection'.
Related word forms
How defeat is actually used
Both noun and verb are neutral in register and common in both British and US English. As a verb it is standard in sports, politics, and military contexts. 'Defeat' as a verb meaning to frustrate a plan is somewhat more formal. Related abstract nouns 'defeatism' and adjective 'defeatist' carry a negative connotation of resigned pessimism.
Easily confused with defeat
'Defect' means a flaw or shortcoming (or, as a verb, to abandon one's allegiance), while 'defeat' refers to losing a contest or overcoming someone in a struggle.