Waterloo

Meanings

1. A village in Walloon Brabant, Belgium; the site of a major military battle in 1815.
2. A battle fought at Waterloo, Belgium on June 18, 1815, resulting in the epic, final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte.
3. The name of any of several villages, towns, and cities around the world.
4. A place in Canada:
5. A rural community of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia.
6. A regional municipality and city in Ontario, Canada.
7. A city in La Haute-Yamaska regional county municipality, Estrie, Quebec.
8. A number of places in the United States:
9. A census-designated place in San Joaquin County, California.
10. A city, the county seat of Monroe County, Illinois.
11. A town in Grant Township and Smithfield Township, DeKalb County, Indiana.
12. A township and unincorporated community therein, in Fayette County, Indiana.

1. Often in the term meet one's Waterloo: a notable and decisive defeat following an encounter with a powerful opponent or a problem that is too difficult.

Etymology

From Middle Dutch, composed of water (“water”) + loo (“sacred wood, forest”). More at water, lea. cf. German Loh. Most places in English-speaking countries are named for the battle.