defense

/di'fens/

Học thuật

Thân thiện

The soccer team's defense blocked the opposing player's shot.

Definition

Noun:
- The action of protecting from or resisting attack: The act of guarding someone or something against harm, danger, or assault.
- A means or method of protecting something: A structure, system, or measure used to provide security.
- The case presented by or on behalf of a defendant in a legal proceeding: The justification, arguments, and evidence opposing the charges in a court of law.
- The team or players in a sport who try to prevent the opposing team from scoring: The players whose primary role is to stop the other team's offense.
- An organization or military force for protecting a country: The military resources and institutions of a nation.
- A justification or argument in support of something: A reason or set of facts offered to explain or support an idea or action.
- (Psychology) An unconscious mental process to reduce anxiety: A mechanism used to cope with conflicting thoughts or feelings.

Examples of Usage

Noun:
- The castle's defense was strong against the invading army.
- She hired a lawyer for her defense in court.
- The team's defense was impenetrable, and they won the game 1-0.
- The Ministry of Defense issued a new statement.
- He wrote a passionate defense of free speech.
- Rationalization is a common psychological defense mechanism.

Advanced Usage

"In defense of": To protect, support, or justify someone or something.
- He spoke in defense of his colleague's controversial decision.
"Mount a defense": To organize and present a case against an accusation.
- The legal team worked all night to mount a defense.
"The best defense is a good offense" (Proverb): Being proactive and attacking can be the most effective way to protect yourself.

Variants and Related Words

Synonyms

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Defend against: To protect from a specific threat.
- Vaccines help defend against serious diseases.
Defend oneself: To protect oneself from attack or criticism.
- She had to defend herself against the false accusations.

Related Idioms

On the defensive: In a state or position of defending against criticism or attack.
- The scandal put the company on the defensive.
Circle the wagons: To become defensive and protect a group from outside criticism or attack.
- When the media criticized the family, they circled the wagons and refused to comment.

The soccer team's defense blocked the opposing player's shot.

Noun

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
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
- he gave evidence for the defense
a structure used to defend against attack
- the artillery battered down the defenses
an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
- he joined the defense against invasion
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
the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
- the defense called for a mistrial
the federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
the justification for some act or belief
- he offered a persuasive defense of the theory
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
- his teams are always good on defense
protection from harm
- sanitation is the best defense against disease
(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

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