Definitions for defensedɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9 , ˈdi fɛns

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

de•fensedɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9 , ˈdi fɛns(n.; v.)-fensed, -fens•ing.

(n.)resistance against attack; protection.
something that defends, as a fortification or medication.
the defending of a cause or the like by speech, etc.:
to speak in defense of a cause.
the arms production of a nation:
spending billions on defense.
a speech, etc., in vindication.
the defendant's answer to the charge or claim made by the plaintiff. the strategy adopted by a defendant for defending against the plaintiff's charge. a defendant together with counsel.
Category: Law
Category: Psychology
Ref: defense mechanism.
the tactics of defending oneself or one's goal against attack. the team attempting to thwart the attack of the team having the ball or puck. the players of such a team or their positions.
Category: Sport
(v.t.)to defend against (an opponent, play, etc.).
Category: Sport

Origin of defense:

1250–1300; ME < OF < LL dēfēnsa a forbidding, der. of L dēfendere to defend

de•fense′less•ness(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

defense, defence, defensive measure(noun)
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
"they died in the defense of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"
defense, defence(noun)
protection from harm
"sanitation is the best defense against disease"
defense, defence, defending team(noun)
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
"his teams are always good on defense"
defense, defence, vindication(noun)
the justification for some act or belief
"he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"
defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defense, defence(noun)
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
Department of Defense, Defense Department, United States Department of Defense, Defense, DoD(noun)
the federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947
defense, defence, defense team, defense lawyers(noun)
the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
"the defense called for a mistrial"
refutation, defense, defence(noun)
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
"his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in defense he said the other man started it"
defense, defence, defense force, defence force(noun)
an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
"he joined the defense against invasion"
defensive structure, defense, defence(noun)
a structure used to defend against attack
"the artillery battered down the defenses"
defense, defence, denial, demurrer(noun)
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
"he gave evidence for the defense"
defense, defence(noun)
the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury
"a good boxer needs a good defense"; "defense against hurricanes is an urgent problem"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

defense(noun)ɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9, ˈdi fɛns
protection against sth that causes harm, or the act of protecting
the country's defense budget; our only defense against the enemy; the body's best defense against disease
defenseɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9, ˈdi fɛns
support for sb being criticized
She reacted angrily in defense of her child.; to come to sb's defense in an argument
defenseɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9, ˈdi fɛns
arguments used in court to try to prove sb is not guilty
His defense seemed weak.
defenseɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9, ˈdi fɛns
the lawyers who present these arguments
The defense argued against this point.
defense(noun)ɪˈfɛns or, esp. for 7,9, ˈdi fɛns
the players on a sports team that try to stop the other team from scoring
I play defense.; Our defense was terrible.

Wiktionary

defense(Noun)
The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
defense(Noun)
Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
defense(Noun)
An argument in support or justification of something.
defense(Noun)
Government policy or structure related to the military.
Department of Defense

Origin: : From the French défense, itself from Latin defensa, "protection".