English to English
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.
source: WordNet 3.0
- protection from harm
Sanitation is the best defense against disease.
source: WordNet 3.0
- (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
His teams are always good on defense.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the justification for some act or belief
He offered a persuasive defense of the theory.
source: WordNet 3.0
- (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
source: WordNet 3.0
- the federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947
source: WordNet 3.0
- the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
The defense called for a mistrial.
source: WordNet 3.0
- the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
His refutation of the charges was short and persuasive.
In defense he said the other man started it.
source: WordNet 3.0
- an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
He joined the defense against invasion.
source: WordNet 3.0
- a structure used to defend against attack
The artillery battered down the defenses.
source: WordNet 3.0
- a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
He gave evidence for the defense.
source: WordNet 3.0
- 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.
source: WordNet 3.0
- The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
source: Webster 1913
verb
- To furnish with defenses; to fortify.
source: Webster 1913
