defense

[ dih-fens dee-fens ]

noun

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 ( def 2 ).
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. (initial capital letter) Also called Defense Department. Informal. the Department of Defense.

verb (used with object)

, de·fensed, de·fens·ing.

1. Sports. to defend against (an opponent, play, or tactic).

Other Words From

• de·fense·less adjective
• de·fense·less·ly adverb
• de·fense·less·ness noun
• non·de·fense noun adjective
• pre·de·fense noun
• un·de·fensed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of defense¹

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

Example Sentences

For some, that brand of fealty is in line with Trump’s choice for his secretary of Defense: conservative Fox News personality and military combat veteran Pete Hegseth.

From Los Angeles Times

Who better to oversee the United States Defense Department than someone with experience counting down.

From Los Angeles Times

The project is long overdue, said Mark Gold, director of water scarcity solutions for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

From Los Angeles Times

"A Fox & Friends weekend co-host is not qualified to be the Secretary of Defense," said Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who leads the Senate military personnel panel.

From BBC

In his statement announcing Hegseth as his Defense secretary pick, the president-elect said the book “reveals the leftwing betrayal of our Warriors, and how we must return out Military to meritocracy, lethality, accountability, and excellence.”

From Los Angeles Times