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:
Following last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Coventry City, captain Granit Xhaka questioned the team's "courage", weeks after France defender Nordi Mukiele claimed the side had become "arrogant".
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
Striker Bryan Mbeumo and midfielder Carlos Baleba were particularly vocal, with Argentina defender Lisandro Martinez also fully engaged despite his red card at Chelsea, which triggered such a negative reaction.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Public defender Brianna Cox said speed-limiters can bring financial hardship and remove her ability to argue against a suspension so that a client can drive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Television replays revealed painful contact between Jackson’s throwing hand and a Bills defender.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 2, 2026
Our attorney leaned over to whisper that the Griswalds would be assigned a public defender.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
Arsenal already had seven senior defenders when they signed Konsa including one of the most solid and well-established partnerships in world football in Saliba and Gabriel.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
The starting forward has been one of the team’s better defenders.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2026
But a thriving community of Persian Jews on Long Island, where I grew up, are some of the war’s most ardent defenders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Neutrophils are often among the first defenders to respond to an infection, while lymphocytes include cells that recognize specific threats, produce antibodies, and help coordinate immune responses.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026
They would strengthen the gatehouse and deploy the main body of defenders in the immediate area.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
