DEFENCE

UK and ANZ, US defense [noun]The rebels' only form of defence (= protection) against the soldiers' guns was sticks and stones.The war has ended but government spending on defence (= the country's army, navy and air force) is still increasing.The wall was once an important part of the city's defences (= things that provide protection against attack).When Helen criticized me, Chris came/rushed to my defence (= supported me).The book is a closely argued defence of (= something that supports) Keynesian economic theory.See also self-defence.A defence is also an argument or explanation which you use to prove that you are not guilty of something.The judge remarked that ignorance was not a valid defence.She said that she didn't want a lawyer and was going to conduct her own defence.All I can say, in defence of my actions, is that I did it for a just cause, not for my personal advantage.In some sports, the defence is the part of a team which tries to prevent the other team from scoring goals or points.The team has a strong defence.I play (UK) in/(US) on defence.In the game of chess, a defence is a particular set of moves used by the person playing with the black pieces.the French defence [U]the Sicilian defence [U]What defence did you use in that last game? [C]A defence (mechanism) is also an automatic way of behaving or thinking by which you protect yourself from something, esp. from feeling unpleasant emotionsEven if his arrogance is only a defence mechanism to cover up his insecurity, I still can't stand him.(legal) The defence is also the person or people in a law case who have been accused of doing something illegal, and their lawyer(s).a witness for the defence [U]a defence lawyer