defense

American  

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

noun

• defenses
  plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• defenses
  plural

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

See Examples For:

defense defenses defensed defensing

O’Leary’s defense followed up a strong opening game by playing well against the 49ers’ offense in Tuesday’s practice.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

One opposition lawmaker on Wednesday said Fedorov had rocked the establishment but predicted that his statement would likely have a limited effect politically since parliament had approved Zelensky’s defense minister and didn’t want further turbulence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

CISA, the agency charged with the mandate of leading the nation’s collective defense against cyber threats and coordinating national incident responses, appears unprepared to meet this moment.

From Slate ● Aug. 19, 2026

St. John Bosco’s experience on defense should be beneficial, but priority No. 1 is to stop Gaels running back Terrance Grant Jr., who has a huge offensive line to support him.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

"I know what fear is," Dasch wrote in his defense.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

“More reps for us to be able to see different defenses and different coverage. It was great for the offensive line, the receivers and everyone else as well.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026

The US stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea to bolster the country's defenses against military threats from Pyongyang.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

For decades, scientists have generally viewed the brain's immune system as largely separate from the immune defenses operating throughout the rest of the body.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026

The first urgent step is increasing active defenses, which include air-defense systems that can identify, shoot down or otherwise disrupt incoming missiles and drones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

What could have the Ridge’s defenses going full throttle?

From "Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky" by Kwame Mbalia

Gilman started all five games for the Chargers this season with 22 tackles and three passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

This is his sixth season, all with the Chargers, and for his career has five interceptions and 21 passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

His six passes defensed are two off his career high with a half-dozen games remaining.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

Leonard had 614 tackles, 32 for loss, 31 passes defensed, 17 forced fumbles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and one touchdown in 5 1/2 seasons with the Colts.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 21, 2023

You know how it is said to Jeremiah, "Behold, I have made thee this day a defensed city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls, against the whole land."

From Lectures on Architecture and Painting Delivered at Edinburgh in November 1853 by John Ruskin

It's also impossible not to look at the fact we could of and should have done a better job of defensing it.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 8, 2011