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win

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Win is defined as to finish first or be the most successful at something.

(verb)

An example of to win is a runner being the first to cross the finish line in a race.
An example of to win is a dog getting first place at a dog show.

See win in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb won, winning

1. to gain a victory; be victorious; triumph: sometimes with out
2. to finish in first place in a race, contest, etc.
to succeed in reaching or achieving a specified condition or place; get: with various prepositions, adverbs, or adjectives: to win back to health

Origin: ME winnen < OE winnan, to fight, endure, struggle, akin to Ger winnen, to struggle, contend < IE base *wen-, to desire, strive for > wish, L venus, love

transitive verb

to get by effort, labor, struggle, etc.; specif.,
1. to gain or acquire through accomplishment: to win distinctions
2. to achieve or attain (one's point, demands, etc.)
3. to gain (a prize or award) in competition
4. to obtain or earn (a livelihood, security, etc.)
to be successful or victorious in (a contest, game, dispute, etc.)
to get to, usually with effort; reach: they won the top of the hill by noon
to prevail upon; influence; persuade: often with over: to win someone over to one's side
1. to gain the sympathy, favor, affection, or love of: to win a supporter, friend, etc.
2. to gain (someone's sympathy, affection, love, etc.)
to persuade to marry one
1. to extract (metal, minerals, etc.) from ore
2. to obtain (coal, ore, etc.) by mining
3. to prepare (a vein, shaft, etc.) for mining

noun

an act of winning; victory, as in a contest
first position at the finish of a race

See win in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb won won (wŭn), win·ning, wins

verb, intransitive

To achieve victory or finish first in a competition.
To achieve success in an effort or venture: struggled to overcome the handicap and finally won.

verb, transitive

To achieve victory or finish first in.
To receive as a prize or reward for performance.
a. To achieve or attain by effort: win concessions in negotiations.
b. To obtain or earn (a livelihood, for example). See Synonyms at earn¹.
To make (one's way) with effort.
To reach with difficulty: The ship won a safe port.
To take in battle; capture: won the heights after a fierce attack.
To succeed in gaining the favor or support of; prevail on: Her eloquence won over the audience.
a. To gain the affection or loyalty of.
b. To appeal successfully to (someone's sympathy, for example).
c. To persuade (another) to marry one: He wooed and won her.
a. To discover and open (a vein or deposit) in mining.
b. To extract from a mine or from mined ore.