/ wɪn; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb ( win·ning , won , won / wʌn; NAmE /)
1.
to be the most successful in a competition, race, battle, etc. :
[ v ]
to win at cards / chess, etc.
Which team won?
France won by six goals to two against Denmark.
[ vn ]
to win an election / a game / a war, etc.
She loves to win an argument.
2.
win sth (from sb) to get sth as the result of a competition, race, election, etc. :
[ vn ]
Britain won five gold medals.
He won £3 000 in the lottery.
How many states did the Republicans win?
The Conservatives won the seat from Labour in the last election.
[ vnn ]
You've won yourself a trip to New York.
3.
[ vn ] to achieve or get sth that you want, especially by your own efforts :
They are trying to win support for their proposals.
The company has won a contract to supply books and materials to schools.
She won the admiration of many people in her battle against cancer.
—see also no-win , winner , winning , win-win
•
IDIOMS
- you, he, etc. can't win
- you can't win them all | you win some, you lose some
- you win
- win (sth) hands down
- win sb's heart
- win or lose
—more at day , spur noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- win sb around / over / round (to sth)
- win sth/sb back
- win out / through
■ noun
a victory in a game, contest, etc. :
two wins and three defeats
They have not had a win so far this season.
France swept to a 6–2 win over Denmark.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English winnan strive, contend also subdue and take possession of, acquire , of Germanic origin.