Defence Country Dɪˈfens Defense Died Extra Examples Protect

• soldiers who died in defence of their country
• what points can be raised in defence of this argument?
• i have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand.
• when her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence.

defence

1. the act of protecting somebody/something from attack, criticism, etc.
• SEE ALSO civil defence
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/civil-defence
• soldiers who died in defence of their country
• What points can be raised in defence of this argument?
• I have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand.
• When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence.
• to spring/jump/rush to the defence of somebody/something

Extra Examples

• to fight in defence of your country
• He paid tribute to all those who had died in defence of their country.
• She spoke in his defence.
• He always sprang to Rose's defence when Ed tried to criticize her.
• He has shown courage in coming to the defence of the embattled president.
• His friends rallied to his defence.
• All available troops were rushed to the defence of the great city.
2. something that provides protection against attack from enemies, the weather, illness, etc.
• They are responsible for maintaining coastal flood defences.
• At this point the country had no effective air defences.
• The town walls were built as a defence against enemy attacks.
• a new missile defence system (= for defence against missiles)
• The body has natural defence mechanisms to protect it from disease.

Extra Examples

• The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots.
• They are building up defences along the river.
• defence against attacks from the north
• the body's natural defence against viruses
• They put up an effective defence against the guerrilla forces.
• With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences.
• The initial attacks targeted the country's air defences.
3. the organization of the people and systems that are used by a government to protect a country from attack
• the Ministry of Defence
• the Department of Defense
• Issues of national defence are a matter for the government.
• Further cuts in defence spending are being considered.

Extra Examples

• Few analysts believe the defence budget is likely to increase significantly.
• He was the youngest person ever to serve as U.S. Defense Secretary.
• Robert McNamara was Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
• The military alliance is the key to Australian foreign and defence policy.
4. something that is said or written in order to support something
• a defence of Marxism
5. 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.
• The judge rejected her insanity defence.
6. the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in court that a person did not commit a crime
• COMPARE prosecution
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/prosecution
• The defence requested more time to prepare their case.
• the defence lawyer/counsel
• the defense attorney
• a witness for the defence
7. the players who must prevent the other team from scoring; the position of these players on the sports field
• COMPARE attack
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/attack_2
• Welford cut through the defence to score the winning goal.
• She plays in defence.
• She plays on defense.
8. a contest, game, etc. in which the previous winner or winners compete in order to try to win again
• Barcelona’s defence of the Champions League title
9. to try to stop your opponent from scoring
• What they need is someone who can both score and play defense.
10. to respond to what what others do in order to protect what you already have rather than try to gain more
• If you believe there will be shocks to the market, wouldn't you want a manager who can play defense?

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old French defens, from late Latin defensum (neuter), defensa (feminine), past participles of defendere ‘defend’.