defense

Defense is defined as protection or the act of guarding.

(noun)

See defense in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the act or power of defending, or guarding against attack, harm, or danger
the fact or state of being defended
1. something that defends; means of or resources for protection
2. a plan or system for defending
justification or support by speech or writing; vindication
self-protection, as by boxing
Sports
1. a team when it is attempting to prevent scoring by an opponent in any contest
2. the ability to prevent an opposing team from scoring
3. the strategy, plays, etc. used to prevent an opposing team from scoring
1. the arguments in behalf of the defendant in a law case
2. ☆ the defendant and his or her lawyer or lawyers, collectively

Origin: ME < OFr < LL defensa < fem. of L defensus, pp. of defendere

transitive verb defensed, defensing

Informal to plan or execute a defense against (esp. an offensive maneuver) in a game or sport

See defense in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

The act of defending against attack, danger, or injury.
A means or method of defending or protecting.
Sports The act or an instance of defending a championship against a challenger: will box in his third defense of his title.
An argument in support or justification of something. See Synonyms at apology.
Law
a. The action of the defendant in opposition to complaints against him or her.
b. The defendant and his or her legal counsel.
The science or art of defending oneself; self-defense.
often (dēˈfĕnsˌ) Sports
a. Means or tactics used in trying to stop the opposition from scoring.
b. The team or those players on the team attempting to stop the opposition from scoring.
The military, governmental, and industrial complex, especially as it authorizes and manages weaponry production.