win

verb

/wɪn/ (present tense winning, past tense and past participle won)

Definition

A2 [I or T] to achieve first position and/or get a prize in a competition, election, fight, etc.: Which year was it that Italy won the World Cup? He won first prize/a bottle of gin in the raffle. Who's winning? This is the third medal she's won this season. Who won the men's finals in the tennis? 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 have just won (= beaten other companies to get) a cleaning contract worth £3 million.Scoring, winning and losing in sportWinning and defeatingLosing and being defeatedWinning and defeatingScoring, winning and losing in sport C2 [T] to receive something positive, such as approval, loyalty, or love because you have earned it: Her plans have won the support of many local people. 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. Winning back his trust was the hardest part.Getting, receiving and acceptingCapturing or taking possession of things

(Definition of win verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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