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.

---

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

Example Sentences

The French big man connected on just three of 12 shots on the way to 12 points in the face of a determined Raptors defense.

From Barron's

Now the situation is somewhat reversed and it is Israel’s antimissile defenses that will help protect the F-22s based in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal

Goldstein, who retired from his law practice in 2023, made another gamble at trial: taking the witness stand to testify in his own defense.

From The Wall Street Journal

India’s acquisition of advanced fighter jets—in the works for more than two decades—highlights a paradox of the country’s defense modernization: India is undoubtedly stronger than before.

From The Wall Street Journal

In recent weeks, Tehran has been working to better protect its main nuclear sites from another round of U.S. bombing, pouring soil and concrete over the sites’ entrances to harden their defenses.

From The Wall Street Journal