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

Example Sentences

This “strategic ambiguity”—backed by aid for Taiwan’s self-defense and a robust military presence in the Pacific—has been key to deterring Beijing.

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In a note to clients, Eurasia Group analysts noted that Takaichi used the phrase “situation threatening Japan’s survival,” which would allow the prime minister to deploy military in self-defense.

Read more on Barron's

At Hollywood Career College’s self-defense class, Gold demonstrated potential scenarios.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“When Mr. Murillo did the act, he did not act in self-defense or defense of others,” Tracy said.

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Hamas’s military wing suggested to Egyptian mediators that they should be able to keep their personal firearms for self-defense.

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