Defence

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /dɪˈfÉ›ns/
• US IPA: /diˈfÉ›ns/; sporting senses IPA: /ˈdifÉ›ns/
• Rhymes: -É›ns

Alternative forms

• defense (US)

Origin

From French défense, from Latin defensa ("protection").

Full definition of defence

Noun

1. The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
• ShakespeareIn cases of defence 'tis best to weigh
  The enemy more mighty than he seems.
2. Something used to oppose attack(s).
• 1592—1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet XII:And nothing 'gainst Time's scythe can make defenceSave breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence.
3. An argument in support or justification of something.
• 1592—1609, William Shakespeare, Sonnet LXXXIX:Speak of my lameness, and I straight will halt,Against thy reasons making no defence.
4. (team sports) A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
5. (team sports) The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
6. Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.Department of Defense
7. (obsolete) Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
• Sir W. TempleSevere defences ... against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.

Synonyms

• See

Antonyms

• offence Commonwealth, offense US

Derived terms

• antidefence, antidefense
• ecodefence, ecodefense
• Nuremberg defence, Nuremberg defense
• defensive
• defensiveness

Verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To furnish with defences; to fortify.
• Hales:Better manned and more strongly defenced.