Definition

1. Noun:
   • A program for defending a country against its enemies: A coordinated, official plan or set of policies established by a government to protect its national security, territory, and interests from external threats. This typically involves military strategy, resource allocation, and diplomatic measures.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Senate approved a new, multi-billion dollar defense program focused on cybersecurity.
  • A nation's defense program must adapt to evolving global threats.
  • The committee reviewed the annual budget for the defense program.

Advanced Usage

• "to fund a defense program": To allocate financial resources to support the implementation of a national security plan.
  • The parliament debated whether to fund the proposed defense program.
• "to overhaul a defense program": To make comprehensive changes or reforms to an existing national defense strategy.
  • The new administration promised to overhaul the outdated defense program.

Variants and Related Words

• Defense policy (n): The underlying principles and strategic guidelines that shape a defense program. Often used interchangeably in broad contexts.
  • The minister outlined the new defense policy, which will guide the defense program for the next decade.
• National defense (n): The general concept of protecting a nation, which is the objective of a defense program.
• Military program (n): A specific initiative within a broader defense program, often relating to equipment or research.

Synonyms

• Defense initiative: A specific project or action taken as part of a broader defense strategy.
• Security program: A plan focused on protection, which can be broader than just military defense (e.g., including homeland security).

Related Phrases

• Ballistic missile defense program: A specific type of defense program designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles.
  • The ballistic missile defense program is a critical component of the nation's security.
• Strategic defense program: A long-term, high-level plan for national defense.

Notes on Usage

• "Defense program" is a compound noun. As a single lexical unit, it refers specifically to the official, organized plan of a state.
• It is often used in formal, governmental, military, and journalistic contexts.
• The spelling "defence program" is used in British English, though the compound is less common than terms like "defence policy."

Noun

1. a program for defending a country against its enemies