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

The strikes targeted "Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets," it said.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

The company has talked with Lockheed Martin about making parts for the defense contractor’s weapons and, last month, announced a general agreement between the companies to work together to bolster munitions production.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

Last year it signed a mutual defense pact with nuclear-armed Pakistan.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

The White House maintained that experts from the state, defense, and energy departments have been involved in “all” of Witkoff’s negotiations.

From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026

In the wake of the Tet Offensive, Rand sent him briefly to D.C. to join a group of consultants advising Clark Clifford, the new secretary of defense.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin

The New York Times reported that the new plane lacked the same security countermeasures, including anti-missile defenses.

From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026

But military officials have also said they need more low-cost and midrange defenses in their arsenal that can be delivered in months, rather than years.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026

That means in the immediate term, Riyadh will likely have to divert resources away from its domestic development and into bolstered air defenses, including in counterdrone technology.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026

By the time they reached adulthood and became susceptible to Bd, their immune defenses were already well established.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

Annabeth and I raced from block to block, trying to shore up our defenses.

From "The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan

Over his career, he has 253 tackles and 17 passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 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

He had 32 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 31 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2023

He still finished with a season-high eight tackles, one for a loss, and the helmet-assisted pass defensed.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 29, 2023

You know how it is said to Jeremiah, "Behold, I have made thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land."

From Lectures on Architecture and Painting Delivered at Edinburgh in November 1853 by Ruskin, John

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