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

In July, the legal case against Baldwin, who was on trial for manslaughter, was dismissed due to the prosecution's failure to turn over evidence to the defense.

From Salon

“SNAP is the first line of defense to address our nation’s deepening hunger crisis,” FitzSimons said.

From Salon

“I was the best back in the area, and they told me I could play defense,” Foster said all these years later.

From Los Angeles Times

So the Dodgers can strengthen baseball’s best lineup, deepen their historic batting order, tighten their versatile defense, become even more exciting, more enchanting, more unbeatable.

From Los Angeles Times

Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who represents the central San Fernando Valley, said Tuesday that the city is “hardening our defenses” in the face of Trump’s election.

From Los Angeles Times