defense

Meaning

Noun

1. (US, countable, uncountable) The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
2. (US, countable, uncountable) Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
3. (US, countable, uncountable) Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
4. (US, countable, uncountable) An argument in support or justification of something.
5. (US, broadly, countable, uncountable) An argument in support or justification of something.
6. (US, broadly, countable, uncountable) An argument in support or justification of something.
7. (US, countable, euphemistic, uncountable) Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
8. (US, countable, obsolete, uncountable) A prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

Verb

To employ defensive tactics (so as to block).

Verb

To furnish with defenses; to defend, protect.

Synonyms

defence

protection

defence

excuse

defensive

plea

safeguard

shield

🛡️

pleading

advocacy

justification

guard

💂

security

shelter

support

answer

vindication

defense team

championship

cover

defense mechanism

defense reaction

defensive structure

screen

denial

defending team

defense force

defence force

demurrer

pretext

defensive measure

intercession

defend

protective

alibi

defence reaction

defense lawyers

self-defense

explanation

refutation

apology

defence mechanism

shell

🐚

sponsorship

stand by

tower

old story

defensive preparations

safety

acknowledgment of error

Translations

défense

defensa

difesa

Verteidigung

defensa

defesa

verdediging

άμυνα

defensie

verweer

Abwehr

weer

🔁

υπεράσπιση

afweer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈfɛns/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: defens

Inherited from Middle English: defencen

In summary

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced native Old English bewering. The verb is from the noun.

Sentences

As Dracula staggers , Mina rushes to his defense .