B2noun1K

Defense

UK /["/dɪˈfens/"]/US /["/dɪˈfens/","/ˈdiːfens/"]/

Definition

the act of protecting somebody/something from attack, criticism, etc.

In simple words: Protection from harm or danger.

Examples

The defense of the castle was stronger than ever after the recent upgrades.
In sports, a strong defense can often mean the difference between winning and losing.
He put up a good defense in court, arguing that he was not present at the scene of the crime.
Many factors contribute to national defense, including military readiness and intelligence.
The company's defense against the lawsuit was well-prepared and thorough.

Usage notes

Used in legal, sports, and military contexts. Avoid using in casual conversations that don't involve conflict or protection.

Grammar pattern

defense + object

Memory hint

Think of 'defense' as defending your fence from intruders.

Collocations

military defense
legal defense
strong defense
defense strategy
defense mechanism

Synonyms

protection
safeguard
resistance
fortification
defensive measure

Antonyms

attack
offense

Common mistakes

Confused with 'defence' in British English.
Used as a verb instead of a noun.
Mispronounced as 'dee-fense' instead of 'de-fense'.