defense
gb/dɪfˈɛns/ us/dɪfˈɛns/
A2
English
~ 900
védelem, védekezés, honvédelem
NOUN
B1
1
védelem
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] in defense of [someone/something]
The country invested heavily in its national defense.
Az ország jelentős összegeket fordított a honvédelemre.
She spoke in defense of her friend.
A barátja védelmében szólalt fel.
The castle walls were built for defense against invaders.
The lawyer's defense convinced the jury.
Good nutrition is your best defense against illness.
Learner examples
The police work for our defense.
A rendőrség azért dolgozik, hogy megvédjen minket.
He made a defense for his actions.
Érveket hozott fel a tettei védelmében.
The army is part of the national defense.
I wear a helmet for defense when I ride my bike.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'defense' with 'offense', forgetting that 'defense' is about protection, not attack.
Meaning
Protection from harm or attack
Collocations
self-defense
|national defense
|defense strategy
|defense system
|defense against
Synonyms
protection (Broader term for keeping someone or something safe; not always in the context of an attack.)
Antonyms
attack (Direct action intended to harm or damage someone or something, opposite of defense.)
Themes
security
|law
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Actions taken to keep someone or something safe from harm or attack.
The act of protecting someone or something from being harmed, damaged, or attacked.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the defense of [someone/something]
Her lawyer prepared a strong defense for the trial.
Az ügyvédje erős védelmi stratégiát dolgozott ki a tárgyalásra.
The defense called several witnesses.
A védelem több tanút is beidézett.
In his defense, he claimed he was elsewhere at the time.
The judge listened carefully to the defense.
Learner examples
The defense said he did not do it.
A védelem azt mondta, hogy nem ő tette.
Her defense was that she was at home.
A védekezése az volt, hogy otthon volt.
The defense asked questions to the witness.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'defense' as a team in sports with this legal meaning.
Meaning
Legal argument in court
Collocations
mount a defense
|legal defense
|criminal defense
|defense attorney
Synonyms
justification (A reason given to show why an action was right, not always in a legal context.)
Antonyms
prosecution (The side in a trial that tries to prove the accused is guilty.)
Themes
law
|court
Definition
What a lawyer says and does in court to show that the person is not guilty.
The arguments and evidence presented in a legal trial to show that the accused is not guilty.
NOUN
A2
3
Their defense was solid throughout the match.
A védelmük végig stabil volt a mérkőzésen.
He plays on the defense for his football team.
A futballcsapatában a védelemben játszik.
The coach praised the team's defense after the win.
Learner examples
Our team's defense is very strong.
A csapatunk védelme nagyon erős.
He is good at playing defense.
Jól védekezik.
The defense stopped the ball.
Common mistake:
Some learners mix 'defense' and 'offense' when talking about sports roles.
Meaning
Team or actions to stop scoring
Collocations
play defense
|strong defense
|defense line
Synonyms
backline (Specific to some sports like soccer or rugby, referring to defensive players.)
Antonyms
offense (The part of a team that tries to score points.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In sports, the part of the team that tries to stop the other team from scoring.
In sports, the players or actions whose role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring points or goals.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
védelem
B1
honvédelem
B2
The air defense system detected incoming missiles.
A légvédelmi rendszer észlelte a közeledő rakétákat.
Troops were stationed along the border for defense.
A csapatokat védelmi célból a határ mentén állomásoztatták.
Naval forces provide coastal defense.
Learner examples
The army has a strong air defense.
A hadseregnek erős légvédelme van.
They built walls for defense.
Védelmi célból falakat építettek.
Ships are used for sea defense.
Meaning
Military protection of territory
Collocations
air defense
|missile defense
|coastal defense
Synonyms
fortification (A physical structure for military protection; narrower than overall military defense.)
Antonyms
invasion (An attack by an enemy entering a territory.)
Themes
military
|politics
Definition
Military actions to keep a country or place safe from enemies.
Military measures and operations taken to protect a country or area from enemy forces.
Grammar
Dictionary form
defense
IPA
GB/dɪfˈɛns/
US/dɪfˈɛns/
Syllables & stress
de - fense (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fense)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: defense
- Variant Spelling: defence
- Plural: defense, defenses
Word family
Forms
defence
noun B1
defenses
noun
Related words
defensible
adjective
defendant
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
defenseless
adjective
indefensible
adjective
Advanced or less common
defensiveness
noun
defensibility
noun C1
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: defence Noun
Expressions
come to someone's defense
1/kˈʌm tə sˈʌmwˌʌnz dɪfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
Help protect someone from harm or criticism
To help someone by protecting them from harm or saying they are right when others say they are wrong.
Examples
- Several coworkers came to her defense when she was blamed for the mistake.
- He came to my defense when I was being criticized.
in someone's defense
1/ˈɪn sˈʌmwˌʌnz dɪfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
To justify someone's behavior or decision
To say something to explain why someone did something and show it was right or reasonable.
Examples
- In her defense, she had no idea this would happen.
- He spoke in his friend's defense during the meeting.
play defense
1/plˈeɪ dɪfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
Take defensive role in sports game
To be in the position in a sport where you try to stop the other team from scoring points or goals.
Examples
- We need to play better defense in the second half.
- He usually plays defense rather than offense.
self-defense
1/sˈɛlf dɪfˈɛns/
fixed phrase
Protection of oneself from attack
When you protect yourself from being hurt by another person.
Examples
- He claimed he hit the man in self-defense.
- Martial arts can be used for self-defense.