defense

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

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

See 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).

SYNONYMS FOR defense

1 security, safeguard.

3 support, advocacy, justification.

See synonyms for defense on Thesaurus.com

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Also 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

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

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

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

Words nearby defense

defender, defender of the bond, Defender of the Faith, defenestrate, defenestration, defense, defenseman, defense mechanism, defensible, defensive, defensive back

Example sentences from the Web for defense

Atlanta has started bolstering its defenses against climate change, but in some cases this has only exacerbated divisions.
Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration|by Abrahm Lustgarten, photography by Meridith Kohut|September 15, 2020|ProPublica
Much like the last time this club looked worthy of a title, in 2018, this defense is versatile enough to switch its assignments to guard ball screens.
Everything Should Be On The Table For The Houston Rockets. Even James Harden’s Future.|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 14, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
That key defense won’t change as more suits are filed, Kammer said.
Got interruption insurance? These companies found it’s useless in the age of COVID-19|Bernhard Warner|September 12, 2020|Fortune
Tensions have been mounting locally between federal defense attorneys and prosecutors over practices during the pandemic.
Federal Jail Downtown Now Has One of the Country’s Worst COVID Outbreaks|Maya Srikrishnan|September 10, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Matthews and his colleagues hypothesize that the plants might produce hexyl glucoside chemicals as a defense against the pests.
How does a crop’s environment shape a food’s smell and taste?|Carolyn Beans|September 10, 2020|Science News
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

Medical definitions for defense

defense

[ dĭ-fĕns′ ]

n.

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

Other words from defense

de•fen′sive (-fĕn′sĭv) adj.

MEANINGS

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defense

noun

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

SYNONYMS FOR defense

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of defense

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

Words nearby defense

Example sentences from the Web for defense

Medical definitions for defense

n.

Other words from defense

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

defense

noun

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

SYNONYMS FOR defense

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of defense

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

Words nearby defense

Words related to defense

Example sentences from the Web for defense

Medical definitions for defense

n.

Other words from defense