waterloo

noun

wa·ter·loo ˌwȯ-tər-ˈlü

ˌwä-

plural waterloos

often capitalized

: a decisive or final defeat or setback

a political waterloo

Examples of waterloo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The waterloo arrived in 1930, with the Smoot-Hawley tariff. —

Jay Cost, National Review, 14 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'waterloo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Waterloo, Belgium, scene of Napoleon's defeat in 1815

First Known Use

1816, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of waterloo was in 1816

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Waterloo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waterloo. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

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Geographical Definition

Waterloo

geographical name

Wa·ter·loo ˌwȯ-tər-ˈlü

ˌwä-;

ˈwȯ-tər-ˌlü,

ˈwä-

city in northeast central Iowa northwest of Cedar Rapids population 68,406

town in central Belgium south of Brussels population 28,898

Note: In June 1815, a battle near Waterloo resulted in the decisive defeat of French Emperor Napoléon I.

city in southeastern Ontario, Canada, west of Kitchener population 98,780

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