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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Other Word Forms

��·�ڱ�Բ��·�� adjective
��·�ڱ�Բ��·��·ly adverb
��·�ڱ�Բ��·��·ness noun
�Դǲ�·��·�ڱ�Բ�� noun adjective
��·��·�ڱ�Բ�� noun
�ܲ�·��·�ڱ�Բ�� adjective

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Word 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

But from the start, the Clippers walked a tightrope that had them teetering all game, falling behind from the very beginning, putting stress on their defense.

From

Taking the stand in his own defense, Charron described himself as a former combat medic with a 100% disability rating who received psychiatric treatment at the VA.

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NOAA’s work extends deep into the heart of the American economy — businesses use it to navigate risk and find opportunity — and it undergirds both American defense and geopolitical planning.

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The current and former federal judges who filed the suit as residents, not in any official capacity, disagree with that line of defense.

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The Clippers played stingy defense and had six players score in double figures, rolling to a 117-83 win over the Denver Nuggets at the Intuit Dome on Thursday.

From

defenestration defenseman

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