self-defense

[ 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 Words From

• self-de·fensive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-defense¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

Prosecutors determined they didn’t have enough evidence to charge two other deputies who shot Ordaz, and said a third acted in lawful self-defense.

From Los Angeles Times

The club offers easy walks at least once a week, along with other activities, such as recent classes about mental health and self-defense.

From Los Angeles Times

For a long time, Briones refused to speak or learn the language as a self-defense mechanism against the mockery he’d experience from others.

From Los Angeles Times

Doctors can still face prosecution, but are allowed to make the case to a judge or jury that their actions were protected, not unlike self-defense arguments after homicides.

From Salon

Instead, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement said it was “entitled” to self-defense but did not make threats.

From Los Angeles Times

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