- a variation of self-defense.
self-defence
Britishnoun
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the act of defending oneself, one's actions, ideas, etc
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boxing as a means of defending the person (esp in the phrase noble art of self-defence )
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law the right to defend one's person, family, or property against attack or threat of attack by the use of no more force than is reasonable
Other Word Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Defence spending will account for more than three percent of GDP, "demonstrating Taiwan's resolve to strengthen its self-defence capabilities", Lai said.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
The US commitment to Taiwan's security "remains unchanged", Lai said, adding that both sides "share the goal of strengthening security and accelerating efforts to strengthen Taiwan's self-defence capabilities".
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
Proceedings began with the reading of the 16-year-old's special defence of self-defence for the murder charge.
From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026
He claimed that Cuba acted in "legitimate self-defence within its jurisdictional waters".
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
It can only arise in self-defence, or from the necessity of maintaining the equal rights of every one, and of opposing force to force in case of any violent and unwarrantable infringement of them.
From Winterslow Essays and Characters Written There by William Hazlitt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
