self-defence

British  

noun

1. the act of defending oneself, one's actions, ideas, etc

2. boxing as a means of defending the person (esp in the phrase noble art of self-defence )

3. law the right to defend one's person, family, or property against attack or threat of attack by the use of no more force than is reasonable

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Other Word Forms

• self-defensive adjective

Example Sentences

Hehir, who left the bus to chase the thief, has previously explained that he struck him in an act of self-defence after the thief tried to hit him.

From BBC

"The crown's case is that this new and freshly-created claim of self-defence was yet another lie by this defendant to try to conceal her guilt."

From BBC

But she repeatedly claimed that the ICE agent fired in self-defence and that Good used her vehicle as a "deadly weapon" against agents.

From BBC

It allows for "self-defence if an armed attack occurs" but that threat must be imminent, Prof Moffett said.

From BBC

Each nation has also claimed to have acted in self-defence, and has accused the other of attacking civilians.

From Barron's