Defend Defended Defending Dɪˈfend Attack City Protect I

• the role of the military is to defend the country.
• troops have been sent to defend the borders.
• the male birds defend their territory against other males.
• the cannons once defended the city from attack by sea.

defend

Verb Forms

1. to protect somebody/something from attack
• The role of the military is to defend the country.
• Troops have been sent to defend the borders.
• The male birds defend their territory against other males.
• The cannons once defended the city from attack by sea.
• All our officers are trained to defend themselves against knife attacks.
• It is impossible to defend against an all-out attack.

Extra Examples

• She successfully defended herself against an attack from someone larger and stronger.
• The city was heavily defended against attack.
• They attacked the left flank, which was only lightly defended.
• The international community should step into defend the powerless.
2. to protect something that you value and prevent it from being taken away
• The organization works to defend human rights wherever they are threatened.
• Freedom must always be defended.
• The ruling class will always defend its own interests.
• People must be vigilant in defending civil liberties regardless of external threats.
3. to say or write something in support of somebody/something that has been criticized
• They defended their decision to pull out of the event.
• The minister vigorously defended the policy.
• How can you defend such behaviour?
• I realized I couldn't logically defend my position.
• The article seeks to defend him against charges of hypocrisy.
• Her colleagues united in defending her from further personal attacks.
• Politicians are skilled at defending themselves against their critics.

Extra Examples

• The company has strenuously defended its decision to reduce the workforce.
• She was quick to defend her husband's actions.
• She defended her department against accusations of incompetence.
• I will strenuously defend your right to say what you think.
4. to protect your own goal to stop your opponents from scoring
• They were forced to defend for long periods.
• Moody and Moran defended their goal well.
5. to take part in a competition that you won the last time and try to win it again
• He is defending champion.
• She will be defending her title at next month's championships.
• The champion successfully defended his title against the American challenger.
• He intends to defend his seat in the next election.
6. to act as a lawyer for somebody who has been charged with a crime
• He has employed one of the UK's top lawyers to defend him.
• Who's defending?
• Smith has announced that she will defend herself in the case.

Word Origin

• Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’. Compare with offend.