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

As they say, the best defense is a good offense.

From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026

The exercise, which runs for 11 days, is a regular summer fixture for South Korea's armed forces and their US allies, designed to steel them for defense against the nuclear-armed North.

From Barron's ● Aug. 16, 2026

GM has been more eager to branch off into defense work, while Ford has pared down its small-car lineup to double down on its most profitable “iconic” vehicles.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 15, 2026

New defensive coordinator Gary Patterson’s defense is testing the Trojans’ offense early in camp.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Of course, in his defense, Kathy didn’t think that her moshom had been in quite the same situation she had found herself in.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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

Managing to survive two wars, a decapitated leadership, gutted air and naval defenses, weakened proxies and a spiraling economy have allowed it to play a weak hand strongly.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026

The plane swap prompted renewed scrutiny of the Qatar-gifted jet, which the Times reported did not have the same security features as the older jet, including anti-missile defenses.

From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026

Confident that his wife was safe, President Madison had set off for Bladensburg to see the American defenses for himself and to raise morale among the troops.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

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

In six seasons, Oliver has three interceptions, 36 passes defensed, two sacks, nine quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 11, 2024

The two rookies played well enough to keep the Rams out of the end zone all day, as Johnson got his first career interception and Valentine had three passes defensed.

From Washington Times ● Nov. 10, 2023

Then I may think myself to be Well recompensed, For wearing of the tree that is So well defensed Against all weather that doth fall When wayward winter spits his gall.

From A History of Elizabethan Literature by George Saintsbury

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