defend

[ dih-fend ]

verb (used with object)

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

   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

Derived Forms

• deˈfender, noun
• deˈfendable, adjective

Other Words From

• de·fenda·ble adjective
• de·fender noun
• unde·fenda·ble adjective
• unde·fenda·bly adverb
• unde·fended adjective
• well-de·fended 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

None of that happens so long as the party willing to harbor and defend a demagogue who threatens the republic stands in the way.

From Washington Post

The scene was fitting, given that the shine of adding the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner to the defending World Series champions obscured the picture of exactly what the Dodgers are getting in the enigmatic right-hander.

From Washington Post

The Hogan administration has defended its decentralized system as critical to building an infrastructure that can ramp up when the federal government delivers more doses.

From Washington Post

Throughout the panel, those involved with the Oversight Board defended the project.

From TechCrunch

To suddenly shut them down would trigger legal actions the city can neither afford nor defend.

From Voice of San Diego

I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

From The Daily Beast

During coverage of that issue, Farrell went on a WSMB AM radio talk show to defend Duke.

From The Daily Beast

When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”

From The 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.

From The Daily Beast

Which politician wants to defend federally-subsidized abortions for convicted criminals?

From The Daily Beast

After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.

From Project Gutenberg

Decide about it, ye that are learned in the ethnographic distinctions of our race—but heaven defend us from the Bourbonnaises!

From Project Gutenberg

Later on, I believe, a child is wont to have his favourite colour, and to be ready to defend it against the preferences of others.

From Project Gutenberg

Learn to do well: seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge for the fatherless, defend the widow.

From Project Gutenberg

The victims were unable to defend themselves or escape by flight, and the slaughter was terrible.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contend
• fight
• fight for
• guard
• hold
• maintain
• oppose
• preserve
• prevent
• resist
• safeguard
• secure
• shield
• uphold