defensible

[dih-fen-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of being defended against assault or injury.

   The troops were bivouacked in a defensible position.

2. that can be defended in argument; justifiable.

   Synonyms: warrantable, allowable, tenable, fit, suitable

defensible

/ dɪˈfɛnsɪbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being defended, as in war, an argument, etc

Other Word Forms

• defensibility noun
• defensibleness noun
• defensibly adverb
• nondefensibility noun
• nondefensible adjective
• nondefensibleness noun
• nondefensibly adverb
• undefensible adjective
• undefensibleness noun
• undefensibly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of defensible¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Late Latin defēnsibilis, equivalent to Latin defēns ( us ) ( defense ) + -ibilis -ible; replacing Middle English defensable < Old French < Late Latin defēnsābilis, equivalent to defēnsā ( re ) (frequentative of dēfendere to defend ) + -bilis -ble

Example Sentences

The area around the building has been cleared of brush and has wide defensible space, she said.

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The map results would help Oregon decide where to require a tool proven to save homes from wind-driven wildfires: “defensible space.”

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Typically, our reasons for staying in a battle against crushing odds are soft, even banal, but universally defensible.

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The defensible space directives, meant to minimize burn risk to homes and other structures, are poised to drastically reduce the number of trees permitted in residential L.A. neighborhoods, said North.

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The main emphasis was what fire-prevention specialists call Zone 0: the first five feet of defensible space surrounding a structure.

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Related Words

• logical 
• permissible 
• plausible 
• tenable 
• valid