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.

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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

Central Command wrote in a statement that it completed a five-hour mission against the country, targeting coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites and the regime’s maritime resources.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

During Abdel-Rahman’s trial, Hamawy was called by defense lawyers to testify in his favor.

From Slate ● Jul. 14, 2026

There was the Kylian Mbappé game, in which the France forward carved open Sweden’s defense at will.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Central Command wrote in a statement that it completed a five-hour mission against the country, targeting coastal defense systems, missile and drone sites and the regime’s maritime resources.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

Teacher seemed to agree with Neel’s silent defense.

From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins

Palos Verdes has a four-year starter at quarterback, Ryan Rakowski, and he’s going to cause many problems for defenses this fall with his knowledge and accuracy.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026

In preclinical experiments, combining telmisartan with olaparib increased DNA damage inside cancer cells while also activating important immune defenses.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

The idea of StormWall is to help boost the magnetosphere’s defenses when big, bad stuff heads toward us.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 10, 2026

The New York Times reported on Friday that the new plane lacked the same security countermeasures boasted by the older jet, including anti-missile defenses.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

Their minds had emptied to some extent, their defenses were down, so that they were easily persuaded of the absolute authority of the ward sister.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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

Gilman started all five games for the Chargers this season with 22 tackles and three passes defensed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2025

His six passes defensed are two off his career high with a half-dozen games remaining.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 1, 2023

Leonard had 614 tackles, 32 for loss, 31 passes defensed, 17 forced fumbles, 15 sacks, 12 interceptions, seven fumble recoveries and one touchdown in 5 1/2 seasons with the Colts.

From Washington 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 Saintsbury, George

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