View synonyms for defense

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: safeguard, security
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: justification, advocacy, support
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)

, de·fensed, de·fens·ing.

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

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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

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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

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Example Sentences

The principles of the Défense et Illustration may be thus summarised.

From Project Gutenberg

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