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

Atlanta has started bolstering its defenses against climate change, but in some cases this has only exacerbated divisions.

From ProPublica

Much like the last time this club looked worthy of a title, in 2018, this defense is versatile enough to switch its assignments to guard ball screens.

From FiveThirtyEight

That key defense won’t change as more suits are filed, Kammer said.

From Fortune

Tensions have been mounting locally between federal defense attorneys and prosecutors over practices during the pandemic.

From Voice of San Diego

Matthews and his colleagues hypothesize that the plants might produce hexyl glucoside chemicals as a defense against the pests.

From Science News

I went into the audition as Fericito, the Venezuelan percussionist, and then I did a self-defense expert.

From The Daily Beast

There is just no way of selling this picture with an innocent defense like, “she just asked for a snap.”

From The Daily Beast

But, but … there was a token black girl in the background, Target cried in its defense!

From The Daily Beast

But the fun starts when conservatives stop playing defense and go on offense.

From The Daily Beast

And from there, the letter asked for money for a legal defense fund.

From The Daily Beast

And all the while she fought him, she punctuated her blows with words, some abusing him, others in defense of her father.

From Project Gutenberg

That, in the light of present conditions, is the most important thing for the necessary maintenance and defense of these islands.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything was placed in the best state of defense that time allowed, so that any attack of the enemy could be repulsed.

From Project Gutenberg

I sent an order and what was necessary for the fortification at Oton, and had that port put in a state of defense.

From Project Gutenberg

Les rivieres de Seine & d'Aulbe rendent le lieu de cette Baronnie autant agreable, que fort & avantageux la defense.

From Project Gutenberg