First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1defense
noun de·fense \di-ˈfen(t)s; as antonym of “offense,” often ˈdē-ˌ\
: the act of defending someone or something from attack
: something that is used to protect yourself, your country, etc.
: the act of speaking or writing in support of someone or something that is being attacked or criticized
Full Definition of DEFENSE
1
a : the act or action of defending <the defense of our country> <speak out in defense of justice> b : a defendant's denial, answer, or plea
2
a : capability of resisting attack b : defensive play or ability <a player known for good defense>
3
a : means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team, or another; also : a defensive structure b : an argument in support or justification c : the collected facts and method adopted by a defendant to protect and defend against a plaintiff's action d : a sequence of moves available in chess to the second player in the opening
4
a : a defending party or group (as in a court of law) <the defense rests> b : a defensive team
5
: the military and industrial aggregate that authorizes and supervises arms production <appropriations for defense> <defense contract>
— de·fense·less \-ləs\ adjective
— de·fense·less·ly adverb
— de·fense·less·ness noun
See defense defined for English-language learners
See defense defined for kids
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Origin of DEFENSE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin defensa vengeance, from Latin, feminine of defensus, past participle of defendere
2defense
verb
de·fensedde·fens·ing
Definition of DEFENSE
transitive verb
: to take specific defensive action against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play)
First Known Use of DEFENSE
1950
Rhymes with DEFENSE
DEFENSE[1] Defined for Kids
defense
noun de·fense \di-ˈfens\
Definition of DEFENSE for Kids
1
: the act of protecting or defending <They were defeated in spite of a brave defense.>
2
: something that defends or protects <… sneaking out to spy on him was not much of a defense against his treachery. — Lemony Snicket, The Austere Academy>
3
: the players on a team who try to stop the other team from scoring
— de·fense·less \-ləs\ adjective
Medical Dictionary
defense
noun de·fense
Medical Definition of DEFENSE
: a means or method of protecting the physical or functional integrity of body or mind <ability to concentrate urine may be interpreted as a renal defense of body volume fluid—Jack Metcoff>
Variants of DEFENSE
de·fense or chiefly British de·fence \di-ˈfen(t)s\
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