Defence definition

dēfens, difens
Defence, the British spelling of defense, is defined as a protection against attack or the act of guarding, or an action that is taken in response to an attack.

A moat protecting your castle is an example of the first line of defence.

When someone attacks your actions and decisions and says you did everything wrong, the way in which you argue that this is not true is an example of a defence of your actions.

noun
2
0
The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
noun
2
0
Something used to oppose attack(s).
noun
1
0
noun
2
2
An argument in support or justification of something.
noun
0
0
Advertisement
(team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
noun
0
0
(team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
noun
0
0
Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.

Department of Defense.

noun
0
0
(obsolete) To furnish with defences; to fortify.
verb
0
0

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
defence
Plural:
defences

Origin of defence

  • From French défense, from Latin defensa (“protection”).

    From Wiktionary

Defence Sentence Examples

  • Military and naval defence forces to be under one command.

  • When the stress came, and he retreated to the British legation, he took an active part in the defence, and spared neither risk nor toil in his exertions.

  • By this instrument the deputies of Hainault, Artois and Douay formed themselves into a league for the defence of the Catholic religion, and, subject to his observance of the political stipulations of the Union of Brussels, professed loyal allegiance to the king.

  • Count Keller was killed in the defence.

  • But the faithful Popham rapidly rallied a force for his defence.

More sentences

Related articles

Also Mentioned In

Words near defence in the Dictionary