Besiegung

Besiegung is a German noun formed from the verb besiegen (to defeat). It denotes the act of defeating an opponent or the resulting state of defeat. In contemporary usage, Besiegung can refer to overcoming a rival in sports, competition, or conflict. In military-historical contexts, the term is less common for describing the operation of laying siege to a fortress; the process is typically described with Belagerung. Besiegung emphasizes the outcome—the opponent has been defeated—rather than the procedural steps of the encounter.

Etymology and formation: The word derives from the prefix be- added to siegen (to win, to be victorious), with the usual noun-forming suffix -ung. The construction reflects a focus on the act or result of achieving victory and is closely related to other German nouns built from verbs with besiegen.

Usage and nuance: Besiegung is used in both historical and literary styles to denote defeat or vanquishment. In modern, non-technical prose, it can appear in sports reporting, political or military commentary, and narrative writing. When referring to the capture of a fortified place, Belagerung remains the standard term, whereas Besiegung highlights the victory over the adversary rather than the siege operation itself.

Examples: Die Besiegung des Gegners war der entscheidende Moment der Schlacht. Die Besiegung Napoleons durch die Alliierten führte 1815 zum Ende seiner Herrschaft. Das Wort kann auch metaphorisch verwendet werden, etwa zur Besiegung eines Widerstands oder einer schweren Hürde.

See also: Belagerung, Niederlage, Sieg, Besiegen.