defense

Meanings

Plural: defenses

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"
• protection from harm
  • "sanitation is the best defense against disease"
• (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
  • "his teams are always good on defense"
• the justification for some act or belief
  • "he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"
• (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
• the federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947
• the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
  • "the defense called for a mistrial"
• the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
  • "in defense he said the other man started it"
• an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
  • "he joined the defense against invasion"
• a structure used to defend against attack
  • "the artillery battered down the defenses"
• a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
  • "he gave evidence for the defense"
• 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"
• The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
• Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
• A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
• Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
• The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
• An argument in support or justification of something.
• The case presented by the defendant in a legal proceeding.
• An argument in support or justification of something.
• The lawyer or team thereof who presents such a case.
• An argument in support or justification of something.
• Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
• A prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

Verb

• To employ defensive tactics (so as to block).
• To furnish with defenses; to defend, protect.

Synonyms

defence, defence force, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defending team, defense, Defense Department, defense force, defense lawyers, defense mechanism, defense reaction, defense team, defensive measure, defensive structure, demurrer, denial, Department of Defense, DoD, fortification, guard, preservation, protection, refutation, safeguard, shield, United States Department of Defense, vindication, ward

Antonyms

attack, offence, offense, prosecution

Related Words

defend