Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense fends, present participle fending, past tense, past participle fended
verb
If you have to fend for yourself, you have to look after yourself without relying on help from anyone else.
The woman and her young baby had been thrown out and left to fend for themselves. [VERB + for]
Phrasal verbs:
See fend off
fend in British English
(fɛnd)
verb
1. (intransitive; foll byfor)
to give support (to someone, esp oneself); provide (for)
2. (transitive; usually foll byoff)
to ward off or turn aside (blows, questions, attackers, etc)
3. (transitive) archaic
to defend or resist
4. (intransitive) Scottish and Northern England dialect
to struggle; strive
noun
5. Scottish and Northern England dialect
a shift or effort
Word origin
C13 fenden, shortened from defenden to defend
fend in American English
(fɛnd)
verb transitive
1. Archaic
to defend
verb intransitive
2.
to resist; parry
Idioms:
fend for oneself
fend off
Word origin
ME fenden, aphetic for defenden, defend
Examples of 'fend' in a sentence
fend
But he had to fend off criticism from his own MEPs.
The Sun (2010)
Once in the bedroom, the actor fended off questions.
The Sun (2011)
His plans to fend off competition are expected to include cost-cutting measures such as outsourcing.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What stands out is not the grinning sarcasm with which the Italian has taken to fending off repetitive questions.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If they had a little more experience, they might have tried a couple of short strokes coming in there to fend off the challenge.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
His retreat over a hotly contested plan to impose a carbon tax on lorries left him to fend off accusations that he is leading a rudderless Government.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But as the Government and its security establishment tries to fend off criticism about its surveillance techniques, the public confirmation will fuel controversy.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It has had to make drastic cuts to routes and staff to fend off the challenge from budget airlines, especially on short-haul routes.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
For many students, it is the part of the university experience that presents the biggest challenge - fending for yourself for the first time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
fend
British English: fend VERB
If you have to fend for yourself, you have to look after yourself without relying on help from anyone else.
The woman and her young baby had been thrown out and left to fend for themselves.