defence

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noun

/dɪˈfens/

singular	defence
plural	defences

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 defence:
Two of his friends came to his defence.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
1. a.
  [uncountable] the system of weapons, equipment, and people that is used to protect a country
  Huge amounts of government money are spent on defence.
  an attempt to reduce the defence budget
  The President has promised to increase defence spending.
  defence cuts (=spending less money on defence):
  More defence cuts are expected next year.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
2. b.
  [countable] [usually plural] the particular structures, weapons, and people that are used for protecting a place
  Government forces have breached the rebels' defences.
  The city walls were built as a defence against invaders.
  strengthen someone's/something's defences:
  He stressed the need to strengthen the nation's defences.
  flood defences (=structures built to prevent the sea or a river from coming into a place):
  New flood defences are being built along the river bank.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
2
[countable/uncountable] something that you say to support someone or something that is being criticized
defence of:
The Minister responded with a strong defence of the government's policy.
speak/say something in someone's defence:
Several people spoke in my defence.
in defence of:
Monroe has been fierce in defence of the present system.
come/spring/leap to someone's defence:
Martin immediately sprang to her defence, saying she was innocent.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
1. a.
  [countable] [usually singular] legal all the things that are said and shown in a court case to prove that someone is not guilty. The things that are said and shown to prove that someone is guilty are called the prosecution
  conduct someone's defence:
  She decided to conduct her own defence.
  mount a defence:
  He mounted a surprisingly effective defence.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
2. b.
  the defence
  legal the people in a court case who try to prove that someone is not guilty. The people who try to prove that someone is guilty are called the prosecution. The defence can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  The defence will begin giving evidence tomorrow.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
3
[countable] something that happens in your body to prevent you from becoming ill
new drugs that work by strengthening the body's own defences
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
4
[countable/uncountable] the players in a team game who try to prevent the other team from scoring points
France has a very strong defence.
I usually play in defence.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
5
[singular] an attempt by someone to win a competition that they won last time so that they keep their position as winner
Simpson is in New York this week for the defence of his title.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence
6
[countable] a way of thinking or behaving that protects you from being tricked or hurt
someone's defences are down:
He got me to sign the contract when my defences were down.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of defence

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