defense

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

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

See synonyms for defense on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

something that defends, as a fortification, physical or mental quality, or medication: This fort was once the main defense of the island.

the defending 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 his or her counsel.

Psychology. defense mechanism (def. 2).

Sports.

the practice or art of defending oneself or one's goal against 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).

SYNONYMS 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

1250–1300; Middle English <Old French <Late Latin dēfēnsa a forbidding, noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin dēfendere to defend; replacing Middle English defens<Anglo-French, Old French <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

Example sentences from the Web for defense

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
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
Twenty defenseless children were gunned down by a sick individual.
In Between Mass Shootings, the Media Have Been MIA on Guns|Howard Kurtz|December 17, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The U.N. agenda, she said, is “to disarm people,” implying it would leave the defenseless even more so.
The National Rifle Association’s Bizarre Colorado Response|James Warren|July 22, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Their ability to launch a surprise strike renders us defenseless.
Sharks Are Scary But Not That Dangerous|Juliet Eilperin|June 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
They did succeed in killing a large number of defenseless men and women, but this was the only result of these attacks.
World's War Events, Volume III|Various
The massacre at Jotapata was bad enough, but the slaughter of defenseless men, on the lake, is worse.
For the Temple|G. A. Henty
Mother felt that in our present defenseless condition she should not refuse any offers of aid, and thanked him.
Life in the Confederate Army|Arthur Peronneau Ford
“Not too busy to try and defeat the scoundrels who are plotting against a defenseless girl,” he cried.
The Bartlett Mystery|Louis Tracy
Why does "the subdelegate cause only the defenseless and the unprotected to be drafted?"
The Origins of Contemporary France, Volume 1 (of 6)|Hippolyte A. Taine

Medical definitions for defense

defense

[ dĭ-fĕns′ ]

n.

A means or method that helps protect the body or mind, as against disease or anxiety.

Other words from defense

de•fen′sive (-fĕn′sĭv) adj.

MEANINGS

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defense

noun

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

SYNONYMS FOR defense

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of defense

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

Example sentences from the Web for defense

Medical definitions for defense

n.

Other words from defense

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

defense

noun

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

SYNONYMS FOR defense

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of defense

OTHER WORDS FROM defense

Words related to defense

Example sentences from the Web for defense

Medical definitions for defense

n.

Other words from defense