( BrE ) ( NAmE de·fense ) / dɪˈfens; NAmE / noun
PROTECTION AGAINST ATTACK
1.
[ U ] the act of protecting sb/sth from attack, criticism, etc. :
soldiers who died in defence of their country
When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence .
What points can be raised in defence of this argument?
I have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand.
—see also self-defence
2.
[ C , U ] defence (against sth) something that provides protection against attack from enemies, the weather, illness, etc. :
The town walls were built as a defence against enemy attacks.
The harbour's sea defences are in poor condition.
The body has natural defence mechanisms to protect it from disease.
Humour is a more effective defence than violence.
3.
[ U ] the organization of the people and systems that are used by a government to protect a country from attack :
( BrE )
the Ministry of Defence
( NAmE )
the Department of Defense
Further cuts in defence spending are being considered.
SUPPORT
4.
[ C ] something that is said or written in order to support sth :
a defence of Marxism
LAW
5.
[ C ] what is said in court to prove that a person did not commit a crime; the act of presenting this argument in court :
Her defence was that she was somewhere completely different at the time of the crime.
He wanted to conduct his own defence.
6.
the defence [ sing.+ sing./pl. v . ] the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in court that a person did not commit a crime
—compare prosecution
IN SPORT
7.
[ sing. , U ] the players who must prevent the other team from scoring; the position of these players on the sports field :
Welford cut through the defence to score the winning goal.
( BrE )
She plays in defence .
( NAmE )
He plays on defense .
—compare attack , offense
8.
[ C ] a contest, game, etc. in which the previous winner or winners compete in order to try to win again :
Milan's defence of the European Cup
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French defens , from late Latin defensum (neuter), defensa (feminine), past participles of defendere defend.