defense

[dih-fens, dee-fens]

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.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of defense¹

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

Example Sentences

The refined products will be used by the U.S. and Saudi manufacturing and defense sectors and will also be sold to other allies.

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The European Union proposed a multibillion-euro spending plan to improve the transport of weapons and troops and to support defense technology startups, as tensions with Russia remain high.

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In nature, dIgA is produced as part of the immune system and is released into tears, saliva and mucus as an early defense against pathogens.

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Daniel Shapiro said he was familiar with the talks between Washington and the U.A.E. over the plane when he served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East in the Biden administration.

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The Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday said its air defenses had downed four Atacms, or Army Tactical Missile Systems, fired at the city of Voronezh near the border with Ukraine the day before.

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