defense

American  

[dih-fens, dee-fens] / dɪˈfɛns, ˈdi fɛns /

noun

1. resistance against attack; protection.

   Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.

   Synonyms:

   safeguard, security

2. something that guards against harm, such as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication.

   This fort was once the main defense of the island.

3. the support of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc..

   He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.

   Synonyms:

   justification, advocacy, support

4. a speech, argument, etc., in vindication.

   She delivered a defense of free enterprise.

5. Law.

   1. the denial or pleading of the defendant in answer to the claim or charge that has been made.

   2. the proceedings adopted by a defendant or the defendant's legal agents, for defending against the charges that have been made.

   3. a defendant and their counsel.

6. Psychology. defense mechanism.

7. Sports.

   1. the practice or art of shielding oneself or one's goal from attack, as in fencing, boxing, soccer, or football.

   2. the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck.

   3. the players of a team who line up in their own defensive zone.

   4. the positions on the field, ice, etc., taken by such players.

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

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verb (used with object)

defensed, defensing

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

Other Word Forms

• defenseless
  adjective
• defenselessly
  adverb
• defenselessness
  noun
• nondefense
  noun
• predefense
  noun
• undefensed
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of defense

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

Explanation

Defense has to do with protecting something or fighting against an opponent, whether it's national defense, a football team's defense, or a defense lawyer. Defense is the opposite of offense. It has to do with defending against all sorts of things: In the military, defense is about protecting a country from attack. In sports, defense is supposed to stop the other team from scoring. A defense attorney tries to prove his client is innocent. A defense can even be an excuse for doing something, as in "In my own defense, I was sleepwalking at the time."

Example Sentences

Furthermore, she wrote, Puig went into the bathroom with defense lawyers and possibly conferred about the case.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Some jurors recalled that during the trial, a defense lawyer said that criminal counts the brothers faced each carried a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

With the investigation no longer under seal, Jonathan and his legal team have the opportunity to respond to the probe’s findings and present their own evidence in his defense.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

GE’s defense operations supply and maintain engines for helicopters, jets, and even boats.

From Barron's • May 19, 2026

“It’s a huge crowd,” Brooklyn replied, coming to her defense.

From "City Spies" by James Ponti