Defend Definition

dĭ-fĕnd
defended, defending, defends
verb
defended, defending, defends
To guard from attack; keep from harm or danger; protect.
Webster's New World
To engage in or be prepared to engage in battle to prevent (a population or area, for example) from being captured or occupied by an enemy.
American Heritage
To protect (a goal, etc.) against scoring by an opponent.
Webster's New World
To be responsible for guarding (an opposing player).
American Heritage
To support, maintain, or justify.
Defend one's conduct.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:

Origin of Defend

  • Middle English defenden from Old French defendre from Latin dēfendere to ward off gwhen- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English defenden, from Old French deffendre (Modern: défendre), from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off”).

    From Wiktionary

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