defend

[dih-fend]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from oragainst ).

   The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.

   Synonyms: fortify, garrison, shield, screen, shelter
   Antonyms: attack

2. to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold.

   She defended her claim successfully.

   Synonyms: vindicate

3. to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).

4. Law.,  to serve as attorney for (a defendant).

   He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.

5. to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.

6. Sports.,  to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger.

   A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.

verb (used without object)

1. Law.,  to enter or make a defense.

2. Sports.,  to prevent the opposing team from scoring.

   She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.

defend

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on

2. (tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence

3. to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action

4. sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack

5. (tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge

Other Word Forms

• defendable adjective
• defender noun
• undefendable adjective
• undefendably adverb
• undefended adjective
• well-defended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” from dē- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from _de- + -fendere to strike

Synonym Study

Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers.

Example Sentences

The other Egyptian challengers, defending champions Pyramids, were equally convincing winners, beating Rivers United of Nigeria 3-0 at another Cairo venue.

Read more on Barron's

A fourth straight home victory in northeastern city Mbombela lifted the Rockets to 19 points after 12 rounds, six behind leaders and defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

Read more on Barron's

It is a fourth Davis Cup title overall for Italy, who are the first nation to win three straight titles since defending champions stopped receiving automatic qualification to the final 53 years ago.

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The question is whether the U.S. will act quickly enough to defend itself.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Together with her sister ships, HMS Tyne and HMS Mersey, the Royal Navy says the ships are able to "escort passing foreign warships, mount fishing vessel inspections and defend the UK border".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• contend 
• fight 
• fight for www.thesaurus.com
• guard 
• hold 
• maintain 
• oppose 
• preserve 
• prevent 
• resist 
• safeguard 
• secure 
• shield 
• uphold