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defense definition

de·fense (dē fens′, di-; also, and for n.6 usually, dē′fens′)

noun

  1. the act or power of defending, or guarding against attack, harm, or danger
  2. the fact or state of being defended
    1. something that defends; means of or resources for protection
    2. a plan or system for defending
  4. justification or support by speech or writing; vindication
  5. self-protection, as by boxing
  6. 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

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

transitive verb defensed -·fensed′, defensing -·fens′·ing

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

on defense

Sports engaged in an attempt to prevent an opposing team from scoring

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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