defense
gb/dɪfˈɛns/ us/dɪfˈɛns/
A2
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Protection from harm or attack
Actions taken to keep someone or something safe from harm or attack.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] in defense of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'defense' with 'offense', forgetting that 'defense' is about protection, not attack.
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.)
Collocations
self-defense
|national defense
|defense strategy
|defense system
|defense against
Themes
security
|law
|conflict
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country invested heavily in its national defense.
- She spoke in defense of her friend.
- 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.
- He made a defense for his actions.
- The army is part of the national defense.
- I wear a helmet for defense when I ride my bike.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Legal argument in court
What a lawyer says and does in court to show that the person is not guilty.
Usage pattern:
the defense of [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'defense' as a team in sports with this legal meaning.
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.)
Collocations
mount a defense
|legal defense
|criminal defense
|defense attorney
Themes
law
|court
Examples
- Her lawyer prepared a strong defense for the trial.
- The defense called several witnesses.
- 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.
- Her defense was that she was at home.
- The defense asked questions to the witness.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Team or actions to stop scoring
In sports, the part of the team that tries to stop the other team from scoring.
Common mistake:
Some learners mix 'defense' and 'offense' when talking about sports roles.
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.)
Collocations
play defense
|strong defense
|defense line
Themes
sports
Examples
- Their defense was solid throughout the match.
- He plays on the defense for his football team.
- The coach praised the team's defense after the win.
Learner examples
- Our team's defense is very strong.
- He is good at playing defense.
- The defense stopped the ball.
Noun
technical
B2
action
4
Military protection of territory
Military actions to keep a country or place safe from enemies.
Synonyms
fortification (A physical structure for military protection; narrower than overall military defense.)
Antonyms
invasion (An attack by an enemy entering a territory.)
Collocations
air defense
|missile defense
|coastal defense
Themes
military
|politics
Examples
- The air defense system detected incoming missiles.
- Troops were stationed along the border for defense.
- Naval forces provide coastal defense.
Learner examples
- The army has a strong air defense.
- They built walls for defense.
- Ships are used for sea defense.
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.