defend

[ dih-fend ]

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

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verb (used with object)

to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against): The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.

to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold: She defended her claim successfully.

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

Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant): He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.

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.

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

verb (used without object)

Law. to enter or make a defense.

Nearby words

defederalize, defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defenceless, defend, defendant, defender, defender of the bond, defender of the faith, defenestrate

Origin of defend

1200–50; Middle English defenden < Old French defendre < Latin dēfendere to ward off, equivalent to dē- de- + -fendere to strike

SYNONYMS FOR defend

1 shelter, screen, shield; garrison, fortify.

2 vindicate.

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ANTONYMS FOR defend

1 attack.

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Related forms

de·fend·a·ble, adjectivede·fend·er, nounpre·de·fend, verb (used with object)un·de·fend·a·ble, adjective

un·de·fend·a·ble·ness, nounun·de·fend·a·bly, adverbun·de·fend·ed, adjectiveun·de·fend·ing, adjectivewell-de·fend·ed, adjective

Synonym study

1. 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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for defend

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.
The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Once we get to the point of being able to defend the case, then the thing can move forward,” he told the Beast.
Prosecutors Have No Idea When 9/11 Mastermind’s Trial Will Start|Tim Mak|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Not ones to shy away from a fight, the Sailor Senshi defend their leader to the death.
‘Sailor Moon’ Is an Oasis for Superheroes Who Can Save the Universe in Heels|Rich Goldstein|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I'm not going to assert myself, or defend myself in any way—to you.
Lord Loveland Discovers America|C. N. Williamson
Gouy made no attempt to defend the principle of slave representation.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 7, 1922|Various
But these moments when she was obliged to defend him to herself were always when he was not with her.
The Coast of Chance|Esther Chamberlain
When Pedro the Cruel had prevailed upon the prince to defend his cause, the princess bitterly bewailed her husband's decision. '
The Book-Hunter at Home|P. B. M. Allan
Here stands an English Earl, who will defend his earldom and the lands of his King.
A Book of Golden Deeds|Charlotte M. Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for defend

defend

/ (dɪˈfɛnd) /

verb

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

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

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

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

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

Derived Formsdefendable, adjectivedefender, noun

Word Origin for defend

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

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

Word Origin and History for defend

defend

mid-13c., from Old French defendre (12c.) "defend, resist," and directly from Latin defendere "ward off, protect, guard, allege in defense," from de- "from, away" (see de-) + -fendere "to strike, push," from PIE root *gwhen- "to strike, kill" (see bane). In the Mercian hymns, Latin defendet is glossed by Old English gescildeð. Related: Defended; defending.

defend

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Nearby words

Origin of defend

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for defend

British Dictionary definitions for defend

defend

verb

Word Origin for defend

Word Origin and History for defend

defend