self-defense

British, self-de·fence

[self-di-fens, self-]

noun

1. the act of defending one's person when physically attacked, as by countering blows or overcoming an assailant.

   the art of self-defense.

2. a claim or plea that the use of force or injuring or killing another was necessary in defending one's own person from physical attack.

   He shot the man who was trying to stab him and pleaded self-defense at the murder trial.

3. an act or instance of defending or protecting one's own interests, property, ideas, etc., as by argument or strategy.

Other Word Forms

• self-defensive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-defense¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Related Words

• conservation 
• insurance 
• preservation 
• safeguard 
• safety 
• security 
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• stability