defenseman

American  

[dih-fens-muhn, -man] / dɪˈfɛns mən, -ˌmæn /

noun

Sports.

plural

defensemen

1. a player in certain games, as ice hockey or lacrosse, who lines up in a defensive zone or position.

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Etymology

Origin of defenseman

First recorded in 1890–95; defense + man

Example Sentences

A shot from Colton Sissons on the right wing ricocheted off Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba and went straight to Marner, who was charging into the slot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

The Ducks bolstered their blueline Thursday night in anticipation of ending their long playoff drought, acquiring veteran defenseman John Carlson in a trade with the Washington Capitals.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“You can see how they play with an edge all the time,” Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson said last month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

This defenseman, whose given name was John Francis Hughes, was among the final cuts made by Coach Herb Brooks to the 1980 U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

He stops and circles, eluding the Vancouver defenseman February 15.

From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell