Conquer

Pronunciation

UK IPA: /ËˆkÉ’Å‹kÉ™/
US IPA: /ËˆkÉ‘ËÅ‹kÉš/

Origin

From Old French conquerre, from Late Latin conquaerere ("to knock, strike; to search for, procure"), from con- + quaerere ("to seek, acquire").

Full definition of conquer

Verb

To defeat in combat; to subjugate.
In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Istanbul.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)We conquered France, but felt our captive's charms.

To overcome an abstract obstacle.
Today I conquered my fear of flying by finally boarding a plane.
to conquer difficulties or temptations

John Milton (1608-1674)By winning words to conquer hearts,
And make persuasion do the work of fear.
1898, Winston Churchill, The Celebrity Chapter 8, The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again; for, even after she had conquered her love for the Celebrity, the mortification of having been jilted by him remained.

To gain, win, or obtain by effort.
to conquer freedom; to conquer a peace
To acquire by force of arms, win in war.

Derived terms