- 1 [uncountable] the act of protecting somebody/something from attack, criticism, etc. soldiers who died in defence of their country When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence. What points can be raised in defence of this argument? I have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand. see also self-defence Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveadequate, effective, immune, … verb + defence/defensecome to, leap to, rush to, … prepositionin defence of, defence against phrasesweapons of defence See full entry
- 2 [countable, uncountable] defence (against something) something that provides protection against attack from enemies, the weather, illness, etc. The town walls were built as a defence against enemy attacks. The harbour's sea defences are in poor condition. The body has natural defence mechanisms to protect it from disease. Humour is a more effective defence than violence. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectiveeffective, strong, coastal, … verb + defence/defenseput up, bolster, improve, … defence/defense + nounmechanism prepositiondefence against See full entry
- 3 [uncountable] the organization of the people and systems that are used by a government to protect a country from attack (British English) the Ministry of Defence (North American English) the Department of Defense Further cuts in defence spending are being considered. Oxford Collocations Dictionary defence/defense + nouncapability, establishment, force, … See full entry support
- 4[countable] something that is said or written in order to support something a defence of Marxism law
- 5[countable] what is said in court to prove that a person did not commit a crime; the act of presenting this argument in court Her defence was that she was somewhere completely different at the time of the crime. He wanted to conduct his own defence. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegood, robust, solid, … verb + defence/defenseconduct, make, mount, … defence/defense + nounattorney, counsel, lawyer, … prepositionin somebody’s defence, defence of, defence to, … phrasescounsel for the defence See full entry
- 6the defence [singular + singular or plural verb] the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in court that a person did not commit a crime compare prosecution Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegood, robust, solid, … verb + defence/defenseconduct, make, mount, … defence/defense + nounattorney, counsel, lawyer, … prepositionin somebody’s defence, defence of, defence to, … phrasescounsel for the defence See full entry See related entries: People in law in sport
- 7[singular, uncountable] the players who must prevent the other team from scoring; the position of these players on the sports field Welford cut through the defence to score the winning goal. (British English) She plays in defence. (North American English) He plays on defense. compare attack, offense Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjectivegood, solid, staunch, … verb + defence/defenseplay, put up, destroy, … prepositionin defence, on defence See full entry See related entries: American football
- 8[countable] a contest, game, etc. in which the previous winner or winners compete in order to try to win again Barcelona’s defence of the Champions League title Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French defens, from late Latin defensum (neuter), defensa (feminine), past participles of defendere ‘defend’.Extra examples He plays on defence. She spoke in his defence. The judge rejected her insanity defence. The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots. They are building up defences along the river. They put up an effective defence against the guerrilla forces. With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences. With her tears she completely overwhelmed his defences. a defence to murder defence against attacks from the north the body’s natural defence against viruses to fight in defence of your country to plan the defence of harbour to play in defence He always sprang to Rose’s defence when Ed tried to criticize her. He has shown courage in coming to the defence of the embattled president. He paid tribute to all those who had died in defence of their country. Her defence was that she was somewhere completely different at the time of the crime. I have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand. The body has natural defence mechanisms to protect it from disease. The harbour’s sea defences are in poor condition. The man later told police that he was acting in self-defence. When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence.
(especially US English defense) noun jump to other results
BrE BrE//dɪˈfens//; NAmE NAmE//dɪˈfens//
People in law, American footballCheck pronunciation: defence
