### Definition
To oppose and make someone lose in a competition, game, or war, allowing you or your side to win.
### Example
> Bill Clinton defeated George Bush for the presidency in 1992.
### Usage
The term “defeat” refers both to the action of overcoming an opponent and the experience of loss itself. It can describe physical, political, or emotional contexts.
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**Author’s Summary:**
Defeat means successfully overcoming an opponent in any contest or conflict, resulting in their loss and your victory.
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Cambridge Dictionary — 2025-11-26