defense

n.

1. An act or means of defending

   resistance, protection, safeguard, aegis, preservation, security, custody, guard, shield, barrier, bumper, buffer, stand, front, backing, advocacy, support, maintenance, guardianship, the defensive, precaution, antitoxin, inoculation, excusing, apologizing, explaining, justifying, exoneration, explanation; see also justification.

   Antonyms offense*, retaliation*, aggression. *

2. A means or system for defending against an enemy

   Means or systems of military defense include: trench, Maginot line, Siegfried line, Hindenburg line, defense in depth, bulwark, palisade, dike, stockade, machine-gun nest, bastille, bastion, fortification, fort, breastworks, chemical and biological warfare, CBW, earthworks, bunker, foxhole, redoubt, barricade, garrison, blockhouse, picket, rampart, fence, wall, embankment, scarp, citadel, fortress, armor, antiaircraft, Antiballistic Missile System, ABM, distant early warning line, DEW, Strategic Defense Initiative, SDI, Star Wars*, camouflage, gas mask, shield, screen, helmet, barbed wire, stronghold, parapet, buttress, moat, fosse, counterattack, counterblow, rolling defense, tank trap, strong point, defense arc;

   Antonyms attack*, siege*, blitzkrieg*. *

3. In law, the reply of the accused

   denial, plea, pleading, rejoinder, answer, reply, retort, writ of mandamus, right of habeas corpus, alibi, testimony, vindication, surrejoinder, counterclaim, rebuttal, argument, assertion, case; see also declaration 2, proof 1, statement 1.

4. An apology

   excuse, justification, argument; see explanation 2, justification.