defence
defence — noun
1. the action of keeping someone or something safe from physical attack, harm, dang
the action of keeping someone or something safe from physical attack, harm, danger, or unfair criticism
The soldiers fought bravely in defence of their country during the war.
in defence of [country]
Élise spoke up in defence of her colleague when the manager blamed him unfairly.
speak up in defence of [person]
The community centre provides classes on self-defence for women living in the area.
self-defence compound noun
Adaeze wrote a newspaper article in defence of the new library opening hours.
- in defence of
- self-defence
- defence of
- fight in defence of
- speak in defence of
- protection
broader term, not limited to active resistance
- safeguarding
more formal, emphasises preventive measures
- attack
the opposing action to defence
Grammar Patterns
in defence of [someone/something]
defence of [someone/something]
Usage Note
Often followed by 'of' to indicate what or who is being protected. The compound 'self-defence' refers specifically to protecting oneself from physical violence.
Common Mistakes
2. something such as a wall, barrier, substance, or system that stops something dan
something such as a wall, barrier, substance, or system that stops something dangerous from reaching or harming someone or something
The castle had thick stone walls that were a strong defence against attacking armies.
defence against [enemy]
Eating fruit and vegetables helps build your body's natural defence against colds and flu.
natural defence against [illness]
Villagers built a flood defence of sandbags along the riverbank before the storm arrived.
flood defence compound noun
The animal's thick fur coat serves as a defence against freezing winter temperatures.
- defence against
- natural defence
- immune defence
- flood defence
- strong defence
- shield
more concrete, often a physical object
- barrier
emphasises blocking access rather than active protection
- protection
more general term for anything that keeps someone safe
Grammar Patterns
defence against [threat]
[adjective] defence
Usage Note
Commonly followed by 'against' to specify the threat being blocked. In biology, 'defence' often refers to the body's immune response.
3. the military forces, weapons, systems, and government organisations that a count
the military forces, weapons, systems, and government organisations that a country uses to protect itself against enemy attack
The government announced a plan to increase defence spending by five percent next year.
defence spending
Nikhil works for a company that builds communication systems for the Ministry of Defence.
Ministry of Defence (title)
Several countries signed a defence agreement to protect their shared border.
defence agreement
The defence minister visited the naval base to inspect the new warships.
- defence spending
- defence budget
- defence minister
- defence agreement
- defence policy
- defence contractor
- Ministry of Defence
- defence forces
- defence system
- national security
broader concept that includes non-military threats
- military
refers specifically to the armed forces, not the whole system
Grammar Patterns
defence [noun]
defence of [country]
Usage Note
When used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., 'defence minister', 'defence budget'), it functions like an adjective. The British spelling 'defence' is used; the American equivalent is 'defense'.
Common Mistakes
4. a spoken or written statement that explains why a particular idea, action, or pe
a spoken or written statement that explains why a particular idea, action, or person is right or good, especially after it has been criticised or attacked
The professor wrote a detailed defence of his research after other scientists questioned his methods.
defence of [action]
Wei published a passionate defence of renewable energy in the local newspaper last week.
The company's defence of its decision to raise prices did little to calm angry customers.
company's defence of [decision]
Hamza's speech at the conference was a strong defence of free speech and open debate.
- defence of
- in defence of
- passionate defence
- detailed defence
- strong defence
- write a defence
- offer a defence
- justification
stronger emphasis on proving something is right
- support
broader, less formal
- argument
can be neutral; defence implies taking a side
- criticism
an attack on an idea or action
Grammar Patterns
defence of [idea/person/action]
in defence of [something]
Usage Note
Typically followed by 'of' + the person or thing being supported. Unlike sense 1, this meaning focuses on verbal or written justification rather than physical protection.
5. a reason or set of reasons that someone gives to explain why they should not be
a reason or set of reasons that someone gives to explain why they should not be blamed for something wrong or illegal that happened
His defence was that he was at home watching television during the bank robbery.
[possessive] defence was that...
Tiredness after a long shift is no defence for making dangerous mistakes at work.
no defence for [wrongdoing]
Reuben's only defence was that the train had been delayed by two hours.
The defendant's lawyer prepared a defence based on three witnesses who saw him elsewhere.
- no defence for
- someone's defence is/was that
- only defence
- strong defence
- prepare a defence
- offer a defence
- alibi
specifically a claim of being elsewhere at the time; narrower than defence
- plea
formal legal term for a defendant's answer to charges
- explanation
neutral term without the implication of innocence
- accusation
a claim that someone is guilty
Grammar Patterns
[possessive] defence is/was that...
someone's defence
no defence
Usage Note
Often followed by a that-clause explaining the reasoning. This sense can apply both inside and outside a courtroom; compare with sense 6, which is restricted to formal court proceedings.
Common Mistakes
6. the lawyers, arguments, and evidence that work together in a court of law to sho
the lawyers, arguments, and evidence that work together in a court of law to show that someone accused of a crime is not guilty
The defence called three expert witnesses to support their case in court.
the defence called [witnesses]
The jury listened carefully to the defence before they began their discussions.
Anong's lawyer spent six months preparing the defence before the trial finally began.
prepare the defence
The defence lawyer asked the witness several questions about what she had seen that night.
- the defence
- defence lawyer
- defence witness
- defence team
- defence case
- prepare the defence
- the defence calls
- for the defence
- defence argument
- legal team
focuses on the people rather than the case
- case for the defence
makes explicit that this is the argument presented
- prosecution
the side that tries to prove guilt
Grammar Patterns
the defence + verb
the defence [noun]
Usage Note
In formal legal contexts, 'the defence' can refer collectively to the legal team, the case they present, or both. It functions as a singular noun even though it represents multiple people.
Common Mistakes
7. In a court of law, the individual or group accused of a crime, together with the
In a court of law, the individual or group accused of a crime, together with the lawyers who represent them.
The defence argued that the DNA evidence had been mishandled by the police laboratory.
the + defence + verb of arguing (argue, claim, maintain)
Lakshmi's defence team spent six months reviewing every document in the case.
possessive + defence team
The judge allowed the defence to call three more witnesses before the trial ended.
Before the jury began its discussion, the defence presented a powerful closing statement.
- defence team
- defence lawyer
- for the defence
- defence argued
- legal team
emphasises the group of lawyers rather than the accused person themselves
- prosecution
the lawyers who try to prove the accused person is guilty
Usage Note
Usually treated as a singular uncountable noun. In American English the spelling is 'defense'.
Common Mistakes
8. In football, basketball, and similar sports, the set of players responsible for
In football, basketball, and similar sports, the set of players responsible for preventing the opposing side from adding to their score.
The team's defence has been excellent this season, conceding only eight goals in fifteen matches.
possessive + defence + performance verb (has been, played, struggled)
Mauricio usually plays in defence, but his coach put him in midfield for the final.
plays in defence
A strong defence is just as important as a good attack in winning a championship.
Putri's excellent positioning helped the defence clear the ball from danger.
- strong defence
- play in defence
- defence line
- defence player
- backline
used mainly in football and rugby for the defensive players positioned furthest back
- defensive unit
more formal, often used by commentators and analysts
Usage Note
Can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is viewed as a unit or as individual players. American spelling: 'defense'.
9. In chess, a recognised series of opening plays adopted by the player who handles
In chess, a recognised series of opening plays adopted by the player who handles the dark pieces, usually bearing the name of its inventor or the location where it became famous.
Baraka opened with the Sicilian Defence, a bold move that put pressure on white's centre.
the [Name] Defence — proper noun capitalisation pattern
The Petrov Defence is popular among club players because it leads to balanced positions.
Wei studied the French Defence for months before using it in the regional championship.
study + the [Nationality] Defence
Gita chose the Caro–Kann Defence because she wanted a solid and safe position.
- play the ... Defence
- Sicilian Defence
- French Defence
- Caro–Kann Defence
- opening
general term for both colours; 'defence' specifically refers to black's response to white's first move
Usage Note
The name of the defence is always capitalised because it is treated as a proper noun (e.g. 'Caro–Kann Defence', 'Pirc Defence'). This term applies only to the player with the black pieces; white's equivalent is simply called an 'opening'.
Common Mistakes
play defense
idiomTo take actions to prevent the opposing team or person from gaining points or advantage.
Mia played defense during the entire basketball game last night.
Can you play defense well enough to stop their best player?
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
'Defence' covers both active resistance (soldiers fighting) and passive barriers (walls, immune systems). 'Protection' is the broadest term — it includes insurance, laws, and anything that keeps someone safe, not just physical resistance. 'Guard' implies a person or group actively watching for danger; it is narrower and more concrete than 'defence'. 'Shield' is both a literal object (a metal shield held in battle) and a metaphor for anything that blocks harm (e.g. 'a shield against criticism'). Use 'defence' when the focus is on a systematic effort against attack; use 'protection' for general safety; use 'guard' for a sentry or bodyguard; and use 'shield' for a single barrier that deflects a specific threat.
Common collocations
Etymology
From Latin 'defendere' (to ward off, protect), composed of 'de-' (away) + 'fendere' (to strike), via Old French 'defendre'. The modern English spelling 'defence' arrived through Middle French 'defense' and was established by the 15th century. The verb 'defend' re-entered later directly from Latin, while the noun retained the French 'c' spelling.