defence

[ dih-fens ]

/ dɪˈfɛns /

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noun, verb (used with object), de·fenced, de·fenc·ing.

British. variant of defense.

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OTHER WORDS FROM defence

de·fence·a·ble, adjectivede·fence·less, adjectivede·fence·less·ly, adverbde·fence·less·ness, noun

pre·de·fence, noun

Words nearby defence

defectible, defection, defective, defector, defederalize, defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defend, defendant, defender

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use defence in a sentence

On the one hand, it has a time-tested relationship with Russia, hinged on defence and bilateral trade deals, and on the other, it needs allies and trade partners like the US to counterbalance China’s growing influence in the region.
India is walking a tightrope between Ukraine and Russia|Manavi Kapur|February 25, 2022|Quartz
The Australian Department of Defence did not name the model of e-bike used, nor give a decibel read for the engine.
Australian soldiers are testing out stealthy e-bikes for scouting missions|Kelsey D. Atherton|October 15, 2021|Popular-Science
That statue — with its inscribed tribute to Confederate soldiers “who, in defence of rights they believed sacred, took up arms against the invaders of Virginia” — gave him a chill every time he passed it.
The Confederacy’s final resting place|Marc Fisher|May 30, 2021|Washington Post
He headed Chatham House’s Asia Pacific Program and the University of Sydney’s China Studies Center, and has spoken to the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee about the UK’s approach to China.
Kerry Brown, the academic defending the Chinese perspective|Annabelle Timsit|May 18, 2021|Quartz

Dennis recorded a single with John Lennon to raise money for a legal defence fund.
Felix Dennis, Counter-Cultural Icon and Publisher Who Spent $100m on Fast Living, Dies|Tom Sykes|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In Estonia, Prince Harry will thank the Estonian Defence Forces for their support of British troops in Afghanistan.
Cressida Wedding Summit|Tom Sykes|April 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, the defence team of Britain's most famous publicist Max Clifford came out - swinging?
This Just In: Max Clifford's Penis Is "Certainly Not Enormous"|Tom Sykes|March 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Similar attacks then followed against the Latvian Ministry of Defence and Defence Forces sites.
The Return of Russian Hard Power?|Michael Weiss|November 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Hats off the Guardian, Britain's most thoughtful left-wing newspaper, for running a piece today in defence of Prince Charles.
Guardian Writer Defends Prince Charles|Tom Sykes|September 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
During this defence, the Empress frequently shook her head; and when it was finished, she rose from her chair.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
She possessed also a great and philosophic mind, and wrote an able defence of Locke.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
This of course must be laid to the credit of the local supporters of "the noble art of self-defence," the Brummagem bruisers.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
No more admirable illustration can be found of the truth that the essence of defence lies in a vigorous local offence.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
The Turks fired a mine under Quinn's Post and then rushed a section of the defence isolated by the explosion.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for defence

defence

US defense

/ (dɪˈfɛns) /

noun

resistance against danger, attack, or harm; protection

a person or thing that provides such resistance

a plea, essay, speech, etc, in support of something; vindication; justification

a country's military measures or resources
(as modifier)defence spending

law a defendant's denial of the truth of the allegations or charge against him

law the defendant and his legal advisers collectivelyCompare prosecution

sport

the action of protecting oneself, one's goal, or one's allotted part of the playing area against an opponent's attacks
the method of doing this
the defence the players in a team whose function is to do this

American football (usually preceded by the)

the team that does not have possession of the ball
the members of a team that play in such circumstances

psychoanal See defence mechanism

(plural) fortifications

Derived forms of defence

defenceless or US defenseless, adjectivedefencelessly or US defenselessly, adverbdefencelessness or US defenselessness, noun

Word Origin for defence

C13: from Old French, from Late Latin dēfensum, past participle of dēfendere to defend

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012