defense Meaning & Definition
What Does Defense Mean?
As a noun, defense means the act or action of defending. It can also mean the denial, answer, or plea see plea of one against whom a criminal or civil action is brought. As a verb, it means to take specific defensive action against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play).
Defense at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /di-ˈfen(t)s/ |
| Syllables | 2 |
| Synonyms | vindication, denial and refutation |
| Antonyms | prosecution, offense and aggression |
| Plural | defenses |
| Verb forms | defenses, defensing, defensed |
Defense Definition (Noun)
- the act or action of defending
the defense of our country / speak out in defense of justice / quickly jumped to her friend's defense
- the denial, answer, or plea see plea of one against whom a criminal or civil action is brought : a defendant's denial, answer, or plea
- capability of resisting attack
the body's defense against disease
- ability to keep an opponent from scoring in a game or contest : defensive play or ability
a player known for good defense
- means or method of defending or protecting oneself, one's team, or another
the nation's air and ground defenses / Big shells are an effective defense against these predators as well.
- a defensive structure
- an argument in support or justification
offered no defense of his actions
- the collected facts and theory adopted by a defendant to protect and defend against a plaintiff's action or criminal charge
His lawyers used an insanity defense.
- a sequence of moves available to the second player in the opening see opening:1
- a defending party or group (as in a court of law)
The defense rests.
- a defensive team
He was the linchpin of one of the league's stoutest defenses …
- the military and industrial aggregate that authorizes and supervises arms production
appropriations for defense / defense contract
Defense as a Verb
- to take specific defensive action against (an opposing team or player or an offensive play) : to attempt to keep (an opponent or play) from scoring in a game or contest
The gangly Pressey was clearly Milwaukee's only real hope of defensing Bird …
Synonyms of Defense
Antonyms of Defense
Defense in a Sentence
to come to someone's defense
Department of Defense
the defense of our country
speak out in defense of justice
quickly jumped to her friend's defense
the body's defense against disease
a player known for good defense
the nation's air and ground defenses
Big shells are an effective defense against these predators as well.
offered no defense of his actions
His lawyers used an insanity defense.
The defense rests.
He was the linchpin of one of the league's stoutest defenses …
appropriations for defense
defense contract
The gangly Pressey was clearly Milwaukee's only real hope of defensing Bird …
thorns are a rose's defense against grazing animals
there's absolutely no defense for your actions
the defense of our country / speak out in defense of justice / quickly jumped to her friend's defense
the nation's air and ground defenses / Big shells are an effective defense against these predators as well.
appropriations for defense / defense contract
Word Forms & Grammar
de·fense·less adjective
de·fense·less·ly adverb
de·fense·less·ness noun
defense
defenseless
defenselessly
defenselessness
defenselessnesses
defenses
de·fensed
de·fens·ing
defensed
defensing
defence
defenceman
defences
defencmen
defenseman
defense (countable and uncountable, plural defenses)
defense (third-person singular simple present defenses, present participle defensing, simple past and past participle defensed)
Words That Rhyme With Defense
Origin of Defense
Origin 1: Middle English defense, defence, borrowed from Anglo-French defens, defense, defence, borrowed from Medieval Latin dēfensa, dēfensum (Late Latin dēfensa "vengeance"), nominal derivatives from feminine and neuter of Latin dēfensus, past participle of dēfendere "to ward off, defend"
Origin 2: derivative of defense:1
Origin 3: 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.[1]
Origin 4: From Middle English defencen, defensen, from Old French defenser[2] or its etymon, Latin dēfēnsō.[1]
First Known Use
14th century
1932
How Do You Say Defense?
The standard pronunciation of defense is /di-ˈfen(t)s/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (fen(t)s).
Common Questions About Defense
Is defense a noun or a verb?
Defense is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for defense?
Words with a similar meaning to defense include vindication, denial and refutation. See the full list of defense synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of defense?
The opposite of defense can be expressed with words like prosecution, offense, aggression and assault.
What is the plural of defense?
The plural of defense is defenses.
What is the past tense of defense?
The past tense of defense is defensed. The present participle is defensing.