DEFENSE Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

defense

[ dih-fens dee-fens ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

resistance against attack; protection:
Two more regiments are needed for the defense of the city.
Synonyms: ,
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.
the support of a cause or the like by speech, argument, etc.:
He spoke in defense of the nation's foreign policy.
Synonyms: , ,
a speech, argument, etc., in vindication:
She delivered a defense of free enterprise.
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.
Psychology. defense mechanism ( def 2 ).
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.
(initial capital letter) Also called Defense Department. Informal. the Department of Defense.

verb (used with object)

defensed, defensing.

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

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of defense¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English from Old French from Late Latin ��ŧ��ŧ�Բ�� “a forbidding,” noun use of feminine of past participle of Latin ��ŧ�ڱ�Ի�� “t�� defend ”; replacing Middle English defens, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Medieval Latin ��ŧ�Բ��ܳ� “(thing) forbidden,” neuter past participle of Latin ��ŧ�ڱ�Ի��

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Example Sentences

“Yet the defense witnesses are all telling the truth and believable.”

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Her defense also improved by leaps and bounds, enough so that she was a finalist for defensive player of the year.

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Their defense means the two will have to enter into some form of close bond long enough for the police to stop suspecting Jérémie.

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Family is so often our greatest defense and comfort, but even that is not always enough when survival is on the line.

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Anyway, Bessent’s remark has been viewed as a tone-deaf defense of Trump’s unpopular economic policies.

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