defense

[ dih-fens or especially for 7, 9, dee-fens ]

/ dɪˈfɛns or especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR defense ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

resistance against attack; protection: Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.

something that defends, as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication: This fort was once the main defense of the island.

the defending of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.: He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.

a speech, argument, etc., in vindication: She delivered a defense of free enterprise.

Law.

the denial or pleading of the defendant in answer to the claim or charge that has been made.
the proceedings adopted by a defendant, or the defendant's legal agents, for defending against the charges that have been made.
a defendant and his or her counsel.

Psychology. defense mechanism(def 2).

Sports.

the practice or art of defending oneself or one's goal against attack, as in fencing, boxing, soccer, or football.
the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck.
the players of a team who line up in their own defensive zone.
the positions on the field, ice, etc., taken by such players.

(initial capital letter) Also called Defense Department. Informal. the Department of Defense.

verb (used with object), de·fensed, de·fens·ing.

Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).

Nearby words

defender, defender of the bond, defender of the faith, defenestrate, defenestration, defense, defense mechanism, defenseless, defenseman, defensible, defensive

Also especially British, defence.

Origin of defense

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French < Late Latin dēfēnsa a forbidding, noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere to defend; replacing Middle English defens < Anglo-French, Old French < Medieval Latin defēnsum (thing) forbidden, neuter past participle of Latin dēfendere

SYNONYMS FOR defense

1 security, preservation, safeguard.

3 support, advocacy, justification.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR defense ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

de·fense·less, adjectivede·fense·less·ly, adverbde·fense·less·ness, nounnon·de·fense, noun, adjective

pre·de·fense, nounun·de·fensed, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for defense

Among other things, the bill appropriates $1.1 trillion in funding—including over $550 billion for the Department of Defense.
Merry Christmas, Defense Contractors!|Veronique de Rugy|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The military commission this week was to focus on the alleged FBI infiltration of one of the defense teams.
Prosecutors Have No Idea When 9/11 Mastermind’s Trial Will Start|Tim Mak|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When my husband and I asked to see the report, we were told we could purchase the report for $30,000 from the defense.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything|Liz Seccuro|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even Defense Secretary Gates, at least for a time, was open to the notion.
The Detainee Abuse Photos Obama Didn’t Want You To See|Noah Shachtman, Tim Mak|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In order to withhold the photographs, the secretary of defense must certify that photographs could cause harm to Americans.
The Detainee Abuse Photos Obama Didn’t Want You To See|Noah Shachtman, Tim Mak|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
General Lovell was in command of 3,000 troops, intended for the defense of New Orleans, but he fled.
The Greater Republic|Charles Morris
Experts called for the defense cannot always be sure that the patient truthfully answers the questions.
Crime: Its Cause and Treatment|Clarence Darrow
One was the fact that the audiencia was frequently consulted by the king or governor in regard to the defense of the colony.
The Audiencia in the Spanish Colonies|Charles Henry Cunningham
By reciprocal obligations of help, defense, and redress of injuries.
Ancient Society|Lewis Henry Morgan
Torpedo defense netting is fitted, and there are three masts with military tops carrying Hotchkiss revolver machine guns.
Scientific American Supplement No. 822|Various

Word Origin and History for defense

defense

c.1300, "forbidding, prohibition," also "action of guarding or protecting," from Old French defense, from Latin defensus, past participle of defendere "ward off, protect" (see defend). But it also arrived (without the final -e) from Old French defens, from Latin defensum "thing protected or forbidden," neuter past participle of defendere.

Defens was assimilated into defense, but not before it inspired the alternative spelling defence, via the same tendency that produced hence (hennis), pence (penies), dunce (Duns). First used 1935 as a euphemism for "national military resources." Defense mechanism in psychology is from 1913.

Medicine definitions for defense

defense

[ dĭ-fĕns′ ]

n.

A means or method that helps protect the body or mind, as against disease or anxiety.

Related formsde•fen′sive (-fĕn′sĭv) adj.

defense

noun

verb (used with object), de·fensed, de·fens·ing.

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of defense

Examples from the Web for defense

Word Origin and History for defense

defense

Medicine definitions for defense

defense

n.