defender
Americannoun
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defenders
plural
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a person who defends someone or something from attack, assault, or injury.
We commemorate the brave defenders of this fort.
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Law. an attorney for a defendant, especially a public defender.
the systemwide benefits of effective defenders.
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a person who supports an argument, theory, thesis, etc., in the face of criticism or challenging questions.
defenders of gay rights.
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Sports.
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a team player whose assigned role is to prevent the other team from scoring.
On the court, he’s an exceptional defender and a natural leader.
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a contestant or team that attempts to retain a championship title, rank, etc., in a competition against a challenger.
Her main rival is the young title defender from Italy.
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Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of defender
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; defend ( def. ) + -er 2 ( def. )
Vocabulary lists containing defender
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I consider myself somewhat of an expert on, and occasional defender of, basic economy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
However, the 6ft 4in defender has not featured since January because of a knee injury, but will be hoping to get back to his best and continue his impressive start at Vitality Stadium.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Yet despite a quiet January window, United have not acted with pace this summer, instead signing 22-year-old defender Andrea Medina and goalkeeper Janina Leitzig, who is presumably back-up to the established Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
He fully intended to push through his scheme to sell shares in the World Cup by casting himself, believe it or not, as a defender of the downtrodden and underprivileged.
From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026
Will was a post-grad senior and a strong defender, but he relied too much on his jump shot, which most of the time clanked off the rim.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
With Wirtz excelling at releasing runners between the lines, and Ekitike and Isak expected to occupy central defenders, Liverpool arguably need another player capable of attacking space rather than demanding the ball to feet.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
His disappearance caused a panic among the defenders and they were routed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Iraola has said repeatedly that his side are "thin" at the back, not helped by the departures of experienced defenders Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
No one wants to wonder what could have been if it turns out quarterback Matthew Stafford can’t count on Nacua getting open and punishing defenders downfield.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 30, 2026
He was dribbling a basketball through the chairs, weaving skillfully through the inanimate defenders, the fantasy of crowd-choked arenas lighting up his mind’s eye and his ear filled with the applause of phantom thousands.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
