defense

[ dih-fens or, especially for 7, 9, dee-fens ]

/ dɪˈfɛns or, especially for 7, 9, ˈdi fɛns /

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See synonyms for: defense / defenses on Thesaurus.com

noun

resistance against attack; protection: Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.

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.

the support of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.: He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.

a speech, argument, etc., in vindication: She delivered a defense of free enterprise.

Law.

the denial or pleading of the defendant in answer to the claim or charge that has been made.
the proceedings adopted by a defendant or the defendant's legal agents, for defending against the charges that have been made.
a defendant and their counsel.

Psychology. defense mechanism (def. 2).

Sports.

the practice or art of shielding oneself or one's goal from attack, as in fencing, boxing, soccer, or football.
the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck.
the players of a team who line up in their own defensive zone.
the positions on the field, ice, etc., taken by such players.

(initial capital letter)Also called Defense Department. Informal. the Department of Defense.

verb (used with object), de·fensed, de·fens·ing.

Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).

OTHER WORDS FOR defense

1 security, safeguard.

3 support, advocacy, justification.

See synonyms for defense on Thesaurus.com

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Also British, defence .

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

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

de·fense·less, adjectivede·fense·less·ly, adverbde·fense·less·ness, nounnon·de·fense, noun, adjective

pre·de·fense, nounun·de·fensed, adjective

How to use defense in a sentence

Through nine games of the 2020 season, the Colts defense has allowed the fewest yards of any defense in the NFL, just the kind of Ravens-esque unit he surely hoped to build.
The Indianapolis Colts Finally Built A Defensive Monster|Ty Schalter|November 19, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
One thing the National Landing area has going for it is a significant investment in digital infrastructure because of the long-term existence of government and defense offices in the area.
Amazon update: Second headquarters development and the area’s housing market|Michele Lerner|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
He doesn’t have a defense circle because everyone around him is out for themselves.
All the president’s ‘Guys’|Ben Terris|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
Mangroves are also less effective in densely populated areas, and here, says Dasgupta, embankments should be built and maintained scrupulously as a second line of defense.
Asia’s biggest climate migration|Konstantin Kakaes|November 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review

The club’s 19,000-volume library holds books on military science, foreign policy, defense and espionage.
Things are shipshape at the Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square in D.C.|John Kelly|November 18, 2020|Washington Post
I understand why you were so moved that you left your secure, comfortable lives to defend the defenseless in a far off land.
An Ex-Radical's Open Letter to ISIS Fighters: Quit Now While You Can!|Maajid Nawaz|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This toxic assault accelerates aging and stimulates decline in body chemicals, leaving our immune systems defenseless.
Suzanne Somers Responds To Critics, Says She Has A Thick Skin|Brandy Zadrozny|October 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Heinous acts, especially when perpetrated on defenseless minors, elicit equally heinous responses even in sane minds.
The Revenge of Donna’s Diner|Mansfield Frazier|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Here was one war he could win: a war against defenseless civilians.
Rethink Everything You Think You Know About World War II|David Frum|February 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Was this deliberate strategy, to attack children who were even more defenseless than the average child?
Alex Gibney’s ‘Mea Maxima Culpa’: Sex, Lies, and the Catholic Church|Michael Moynihan|February 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Here they were, ten days' march from the coast, unarmed, and quite defenseless against a lion.
In Africa|John T. McCutcheon
If I spoke, who would believe me; who would heed the words of a defenseless girl whom he would at once declare to be hysterical?
The Czar's Spy|William Le Queux
When Charlie joins the army, we will be defenseless, indeed.
A Confederate Girl's Diary|Sarah Margan Dawson
If he had only shot the man when he had stood there a fair mark, defenseless!
The Secret Witness|George Gibbs
What chance has a defenseless human creature against these powers of darkness?
Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians|Martin Luther