defense

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

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 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).

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

Also British, defence .

Other words for defense

1	security, safeguard
3	support, advocacy, justification

See synonyms for defense on Thesaurus.com

Other words from defense

de·fense·less, adjective
de·fense·less·ly, adverb
de·fense·less·ness, noun
non·de·fense, noun, adjective
pre·de·fense, noun
un·de·fensed, adjective

How to use defense in a sentence

Luckily, Tor was prepared for this sort of assault, and has built-in defenses to protect against it.
The Attack on the Hidden Internet | Marc Rogers | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In another unusual move, the grand jury considered not only the basic elements of the crime, but also affirmative defenses.
We Need More Ferguson-style Grand Juries | Kaimipono Wenger | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
To prevent further attacks we have vastly improved our defenses at home.
Why’s Al Qaeda So Strong? Washington Has (Literally) No idea | Bruce Riedel | November 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Or, that the rebels—and Russia for that matter—would potentially attack those building the wall, and fire at its defenses.
The Great Wall of Ukraine | Vijai Maheshwari | October 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And even as he plots defenses against American and allied air raids, he is taunting Vladimir Putin and his allies in Grozny.
ISIS Is Putin’s Problem, Too, and This Chechen Is One Reason Why. | Anna Nemtsova | September 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

If we stayed where we were, our dead would kill us; if we moved out of our defenses, we should no longer be invincible.
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, Complete | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
At Norfolk nothing had been done but to strengthen the defenses.
Four Years in Rebel Capitals | T. C. DeLeon
In practice it was simple and, like most defenses, only partially effective.
The Fire People | Ray Cummings
Then was heard an angry buzz, as the assaulted bees swarmed out of their defenses and literally stormed her.
That Old-Time Child, Roberta | Sophie Fox Sea
Right after graduation, he was made second lieutenant of Engineers and for some time he was busy looking after our coast defenses.
Robert E. Lee | Ruth Hill

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