defend

[ dih-fend ]

verb (used with object)

1. to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against ):

   The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.

   Synonyms: fortify, garrison, shield, screen, shelter

   Antonyms: attack

2. to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold:

   She defended her claim successfully.

   Synonyms: vindicate

3. to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
4. Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant):

   He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.

5. to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
6. Sports. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger:

   A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.

verb (used without object)

1. Law. to enter or make a defense.
2. Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring:

   She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.

defend

/ dɪˈfɛnd /

verb

1. to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
2. tr to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
3. to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
4. sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
5. tr to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge

Derived Forms

• deˈfendable, adjective
• deˈfender, noun

Other Words From

• de·fenda·ble adjective
• de·fender noun
• unde·fenda·ble adjective
• unde·fenda·bly adverb
• unde·fended adjective
• well-de·fended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” from dē- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( bane ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of defend¹

C13: from Old French defendre, from Latin dēfendere to ward off, from de- + -fendere to strike

Synonym Study

Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers.

Example Sentences

But every senior military officer also takes an oath to defend the Constitution, and pledges to refuse illegal, unconstitutional or criminal directives.

From Los Angeles Times

They believe that water and land are becoming scarcer, forcing them to hoard and defend those resources.

From Salon

Taylor would later publish “White Identity,” warning that white people will be marginalized by other races if they do not defend themselves.

From Salon

When Taylor would later publish “White Identity,” warning that white people will be marginalized by other races if they do not defend themselves, Tanton would write to him: “You are saying a lot of things that need to be said.”

From Salon

The results varied widely from region to region, but in Southern California, homes protected by a fire department were 19% less likely to burn — 31% if a civilian helped defend it too.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• contend
• fight
• fight for
• guard
• hold
• maintain
• oppose
• preserve
• prevent
• resist
• safeguard
• secure
• shield
• uphold