a person who defends someone or something from attack, assault, or injury: We commemorate the brave defenders of this fort.
Law. an attorney for a defendant, especially a public defender: the systemwide benefits of effective defenders.
a person who supports an argument, theory, thesis, etc., in the face of criticism or challenging questions: defenders of gay rights.
Sports.
a team player whose assigned role is to prevent the other team from scoring: On the court, he’s an exceptional defender and a natural leader.
a contestant or team that attempts to retain a championship title, rank, etc., in a competition against a challenger: Her main rival is the young title defender from Italy.
Origin of defender
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; defend + -er2
Words nearby defender
defence, defence in depth, defence mechanism, defend, defendant, defender, defender of the bond, Defender of the Faith, defenestrate, defenestration, defense
As Jared said before, Murray isn’t going to see better defenders than he did last round, which has to be encouraging for the Nuggets.
Bam Adebayo Is Making Plays, Denver Is Making Us Look Bad, And The Lakers May Need To Make Some Adjustments|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 17, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
He stood at the free-throw line with 4-on-3 advantages and all but played with his food by looking off defenders before firing passes to open 3-point shooters.
When It Comes To Playoff Disappointment, The Clippers Are In A League Of Their Own|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Former teammate Kei Kamara remembers games in which Davies would “effortlessly” run around defenders in loops, or toy with them with the ball at his feet.
A Canadian Teenager Is One Of The Fastest Soccer Players In The World|Julian McKenzie|September 16, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Getting by defenders like Jimmy Butler, Jae Crowder, Bam Adebayo and Andre Iguodala was never going to be easy.
The Bucks Played It Safe And Made The Wrong Kind Of History|Chris Herring (chris.herring@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 9, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
And, even with Westbrook’s propensity to gamble more than he probably should as an off-ball defender, none are obvious weak links on that end.
The Rockets’ New Starting Lineup Is Just Scratching The Surface Of Its Potential|Michael Pina|September 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
He could be remade into a defender of the environment, a preserver of habitats and champion of rainforest ecology.
Can Tarzan of the Apes Survive in a Post-Colonial World?|Ted Gioia|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, U.S. defender Matt Besler, who seemed a bit dinged up after that Portugal stunner, will be good to go.
USA vs. Germany World Cup Primer: Everything You Need to Know About the Epic Showdown|Marlow Stern|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
When her opponents chose a blacksmith as their champion, she produced the same type of defender.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat|Steven Isaac|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This time, he gallops onto the national stage as defender of the faith—a stance that may open some pocketbooks.
The Bill Nye-Ken Ham Debate Was a Nightmare for Science|Michael Schulson|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But, as Adam Kirsch writes, a new collection of essays shows how his political ideology changed him into a defender of oppression.
How Jean-Paul Sartre’s Existential Angst Got the Better of Him|Adam Kirsch|June 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Before the whaler got back, an enemy's cruiser came up and chased the Defender, which thus had to abandon its small boat.
America's War for Humanity|Thomas Herbert Russell
In this moment of trial and persecution we pray that Thou wouldst be our defender, our counsellor, and our guide.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VI (of VII)|John Greenleaf Whittier
But it is not for the defender to adduce reasons; it is enough for him to answer those of his opponent.
Theodicy|G. W. Leibniz
Henceforth he finds himself transformed into the defender of the oppressed.
A Popular History of France From The Earliest Times|Francois Pierre Guillaume Guizot
My enemy left me to fly at my defender, whose name was Florence Hay.