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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

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

a : capability of resisting attack

b : defensive play or ability <a player known for good defense>

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

a : a defending party or group (as in a court of law) <the defense rests>

b : a defensive team

: 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

Origin of DEFENSE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin defensa vengeance, from Latin, feminine of defensus, past participle of defendere

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to DEFENSE

Synonyms: aegis (also egis), ammunition, armor, buckler, cover, guard, protection, safeguard, screen, security, shield, wall, ward

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

Other General Sports Terms

kegler, mulligan, rappel, turkey

Rhymes with DEFENSE

expense, horse sense, incense, nonsense, past tense, sequence, sixth sense

DEFENSELESS Defined for Kids

defense

noun de·fense \di-ˈfens\

Definition of DEFENSE for Kids

: the act of protecting or defending <They were defeated in spite of a brave defense.>

: 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>

: 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>