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.

---

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

“It’s very hard to actually assign to it a dollar value, but it’s extremely valuable as a part of our defense strategy,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

But the fighting has left Israel with a growing defense bill, forcing difficult choices over how to pay for security without sacrificing the investments needed to sustain economic growth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026

The Falcons had a great run defense — or seemed to — then got trampled by Tampa Bay.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026

Rheinmetall shares plunged over 16% after the German defense group cut its annual forecasts for the second time this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

In his defense, Chauncey Burr released Ruth Culver’s damning statement to the press.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

They also raise the possibility of developing treatments that strengthen the body's natural defenses against inflammatory damage.

From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026

Driscoll will advise on ways AI could bolster U.S. security capabilities and cyber defenses, the company said Monday.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

Election nonprofits have stepped up to try to fill the gap, and states, with CISA’s help, have enhanced their own cyber defenses.

From Salon ● Nov. 3, 2026

Centcom has laid the groundwork for broader strikes, including moving more missile defenses and munitions into the region in recent weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2026

The president wanted his enemies to think that America's defenses were impenetrable.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

Over his career, he has 253 tackles and 17 passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 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

Sneed had two interceptions and 14 passes defensed in 16 games last season, giving him 10 interceptions and 40 passes defensed in his four-year career.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 22, 2024

He had 32 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 31 passes defensed, 12 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 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

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---