defense

- definition

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

noun

/dɪˈfens/

singular	defense
plural	defenses

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

1
[uncountable] actions that you take to protect someone or something that is being attacked
come/rush to someone's defense:
Two of his friends came to his defense.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
1. a.
  [uncountable] the system of weapons, equipment, and people used for protecting a country
  Huge amounts of government money are spent on defense.
  an attempt to reduce the defense budget
  The president has promised to increase defense spending.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
2. b.
  [countable] [usually plural] the particular structures, weapons, and people that are used to protect a place
  The city walls were built as a defense against invaders.
  He stressed the need to strengthen the nation's defenses.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
2
[countable/uncountable] something that you say to support someone or something that is being criticized
defense of:
The President responded with a strong defense of his foreign policy.
in defense of:
Monroe has been fierce in defense of the present system.
speak/say something in someone's defense:
Several people spoke in my defense.
come/spring/rush to someone's defense:
Martin immediately sprang to her defense, saying she was innocent.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
1. a.
  [singular] all the things that are said and shown in a court case to prove that someone is not guilty
  I think we have quite a strong defense.
  mount a defense:
  He mounted a surprisingly effective defense.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
2. b.
  the defense
  the people in a court case who try to prove that someone is not guilty
  The defense will begin giving evidence tomorrow.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
3
[countable] [often plural] something that happens in your body to prevent you from becoming sick
new drugs that work by strengthening the body's own defenses
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
4
/ˈdifens/ [uncountable] the players in a team game who try to prevent the other team from scoring points
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
5
[singular] an attempt by someone to win a competition that they won last time so they keep their position as winner
Simpson is in New York this week for the defense of his title.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense
6
[countable] a way of thinking or behaving that protects you from being tricked or hurt
someone's defenses are down:
He got me to sign the contract when my defenses were down.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defense

cyberloafing

using the Internet where you work, during working hours, for activities which are not work-related

BuzzWord Article

More BuzzWords

BuzzWord archive

Word of the Day

neutrino

a particle that is smaller than an atom and has no electrical charge

Open Dictionary

show a bit of ankle

… to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything

add a word

More submissions

view entries

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog

Did you know?