self-defence
Britishnoun
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the act of defending oneself, one's actions, ideas, etc
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boxing as a means of defending the person (esp in the phrase noble art of self-defence )
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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
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Grace said at the time that she had acted in self-defence after she was attacked in the room where Bellarmine and Robert Jr lived.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
Macron said French forces had downed drones "in self-defence" during the opening hours of the conflict.
From Barron's • Mar. 3, 2026
Williams' account of "self-defence" simply couldn't be true.
From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026
He argued that while Duterte used "bluster and hyperbole" in his speeches, he also frequently ordered authorities only to shoot in self-defence.
From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026
But, after all, where is there anyone in the world, with the exception of small religious sects, who denies self-defence "in principle"!
From Dictatorship vs. Democracy (Terrorism and Communism) by Trotzky, Leon Davidovich
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
