26984 words

win

10 definitions • 32 examples
1
to achieve first position and/or get a prize in a competition, election, fight, etc.:

Examples:

Which year was it that Italy won the World Cup?
He won first prize/a bottle of wine in the raffle.
Who's winning?
This is the third medal she's won this season.
Who won the men's finals at the Open?
They won the war, although it cost them millions of lives.
If this government win the next election, I'm leaving the country.
Everyone likes winning an argument.
[ + two objects ] It was his goal that won us the match/won the match for us.
Her firm has just won (= beaten other companies to get) a cleaning contract worth £3 million.
2
to receive something positive, such as approval, loyalty, or love because you have earned it:

Examples:

Her plans have won the support of many local people.
win the hearts This is Jamie, the four-year old who won the hearts of the nation (= made everyone love him and/or feel sympathy for him).
She would do anything to win his love.
win something back Winning back his trust was the hardest part.
3
an occasion when someone wins a game or competition:

Examples:

It was the team's sixth consecutive win this season.
Everyone was predicting a Republican win at the last election.
4
something useful or positive that you achieve:

Examples:

quick win We need to aim for quick wins - projects that will have an immediate impact.
small win Breaking down activities into a number of small wins concentrates your attention on what is possible.
5
to defeat a competitor, or to achieve first position or get a prize in a competition:

Examples:

[ I ] Did they win last night?
[ T ] Our team won the game!
6
to be the best in a situation where several people, organizations, etc. are competing:

Examples:

If she scores the next point, she'll have won.
He won the election by 2,385 votes.
win an argument/battle Graves won the battle for control of the organization.
His barristers said he had no chance of winning this case.
win easily/handily/decisively
7
to succeed in getting something that other people, organizations, etc. are also trying to get:

Examples:

win an award/contract/order The UK property firm is favourite to win the contract for the bank's new head office.
win sb sth The big question is whether her actions will win her votes.
8
to receive approval, support, etc. for something, especially when you have made a big effort to get it:

Examples:

win (sb's) approval/support/confidence The property tycoon has won the support of shareholders.
win sth from sb The proposed merger broke down last week after failing to win approval from the US government.
9
to get advantages from a situation:

Examples:

When we use green technology, we all win with a cleaner environment as well as jobs growth.
10
a successful attempt at achieving something such as a prize or reward:

Examples:

a win for sb The passage of the bill is a significant win for supporters of offshore drilling.

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