defense

American  

[dih-fens, dee-fens] / dɪˈfɛns, ˈdi fɛns /

noun

• defenses
  plural

1. resistance against attack; protection.

   Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.

   Synonyms:

   safeguard, security

2. something that guards against harm, such as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication.

   This fort was once the main defense of the island.

3. the support of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc..

   He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.

   Synonyms:

   justification, advocacy, support

4. a speech, argument, etc., in vindication.

   She delivered a defense of free enterprise.

5. Law.

   1. the denial or pleading of the defendant in answer to the claim or charge that has been made.

   2. the proceedings adopted by a defendant or the defendant's legal agents, for defending against the charges that have been made.

   3. a defendant and their counsel.

6. Psychology. defense mechanism.

7. Sports.

   1. the practice or art of shielding oneself or one's goal from attack, as in fencing, boxing, soccer, or football.

   2. the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck.

   3. the players of a team who line up in their own defensive zone.

   4. the positions on the field, ice, etc., taken by such players.

8. Also called Defense Department.  (initial capital letter) the Department of Defense.

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verb (used with object)

defensed, defensing

1. Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• defenselessness
  noun
• nondefense
  noun
• predefense
  noun
• defenseless
  adjective
• undefensed
  adjective
• defenselessly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• defenses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of defense

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Old French from Late Latin dēfēnsa “a forbidding,” noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere “to defend ”; replacing Middle English defens, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin defēnsum “(thing) forbidden,” neuter past participle of Latin dēfendere

Explanation

Defense has to do with protecting something or fighting against an opponent, whether it's national defense, a football team's defense, or a defense lawyer. Defense is the opposite of offense. It has to do with defending against all sorts of things: In the military, defense is about protecting a country from attack. In sports, defense is supposed to stop the other team from scoring. A defense attorney tries to prove his client is innocent. A defense can even be an excuse for doing something, as in "In my own defense, I was sleepwalking at the time."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

defense defenses defensed defensing

We remain committed to NATO’s collective defense and clear-eyed about the need for Allies to increase their capabilities to deter all threats to…

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Newspapers around the country featured his actions in defense of sick horses in New York, prompting allied organizations in Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago to undertake similar campaigns.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

He said they also discussed a potential winter aid package, including air defense, energy support and American liquefied natural gas.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 6, 2026

In Europe, a U.S. defense official told the Associated Press last month that the shortfall was “beyond critical.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

The defense lawyer asked which country he was referring to.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

“It’s creative, it puts defenses in a conflict. Kind of like our players, a lot of excitement to learn everything that Mike knows.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

Its underground location provides one of the first defenses.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

She said talks on a new loan to Ukraine of several billion dollars for air defenses were advancing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

"We have a limited window to strengthen cyber defenses," the letter said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 1, 2026

By giving his fellow Romans time to finish their defenses, he’d saved the Republic.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

This is his sixth season, all with the Chargers, and for his career has five interceptions and 21 passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

Gilman started all five games for the Chargers this season with 22 tackles and three passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

In six seasons, Oliver has three interceptions, 36 passes defensed, two sacks, nine quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

In his first start of the season, Burns responded with five tackles and one pass defensed in 63 snaps.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 21, 2023

Then I may think myself to be Well recompensed, For wearing of the tree that is So well defensed Against all weather that doth fall When wayward winter spits his gall.

From A History of Elizabethan Literature by George Saintsbury

It's also impossible not to look at the fact we could of and should have done a better job of defensing it.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 8, 2011