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

Earlier this month, Lockheed Martin and Rheinmetall signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a partnership to jointly produce American missiles in Europe, kickstarting a collaboration that is set to bolster Europe’s defense capabilities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

He then named a new, young and popular defense chief.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026

“The entire defense is just very young compared to last year,” defensive tackle Jide Abasiri said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

Many space companies rely on U.S. government contracts; Rocket Lab, for one, won a $266 million defense contract on Monday.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026

In his defense, Chauncey Burr released Ruth Culver’s damning statement to the press.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

While the AI boom already is leading to more hacking, analysts said, it also is helping bolster defenses against hacks.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Gary Patterson does have an impressive resume, with years of top-tier defenses at Texas Christian.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

It is using a combination of different flight paths, maneuvers and speeds to try to confuse U.S. defenses, they say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

The subpoenas were issued after a Times report that the Qatari-gifted Air Force One lacked certain security countermeasures, including anti-missile defenses.

From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026

Once the Germans captured the Volga River and destroyed the Soviet Union’s defenses, they could head north to get at Moscow.

From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

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

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

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