defence
noun /dɪˈfens/
/dɪˈfens/
(US English defense)
Idioms - [uncountable] the act of protecting somebody/something from attack, criticism, etc.
- in defence of somebody/something soldiers who died in defence of their country
- What points can be raised in defence of this argument?
- in somebody's defence I have to say in her defence that she knew nothing about it beforehand.
- When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence.
- to spring/jump/rush to the defence of somebody/something
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- to fight in defence of your country
- He paid tribute to all those who had died in defence of their country.
- She spoke in his defence.
- He always sprang to Rose's defence when Ed tried to criticize her.
- He has shown courage in coming to the defence of the embattled president.
- His friends rallied to his defence.
- All available troops were rushed to the defence of the great city.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- adequate
- effective
- immune
- …
- come to
- leap to
- rush to
- …
- in defence of
- defence against
- weapons of defence
- [countable, uncountable] something that provides protection against attack from enemies, the weather, illness, etc.
- They are responsible for maintaining coastal flood defences.
- At this point the country had no effective air defences.
- defence against something The town walls were built as a defence against enemy attacks.
- a new missile defence system (= for defence against missiles)
- The body has natural defence mechanisms to protect it from disease.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- The sea breached the coastal defences in a number of spots.
- They are building up defences along the river.
- defence against attacks from the north
- the body's natural defence against viruses
- They put up an effective defence against the guerrilla forces.
- With her tears and angry accusations she completely overwhelmed his defences.
- The initial attacks targeted the country's air defences.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- effective
- strong
- coastal
- …
- put up
- bolster
- improve
- …
- mechanism
- defence against
- [uncountable] the organization of the people and systems that are used by a government to protect a country from attack
- (British English) the Ministry of Defence
- (US English) the Department of Defense
- Issues of national defence are a matter for the government.
- Further cuts in defence spending are being considered.
Extra ExamplesTopics War and conflictb2- Few analysts believe the defence budget is likely to increase significantly.
- He was the youngest person ever to serve as U.S. Defense Secretary.
- Robert McNamara was Secretary of Defense under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
- The military alliance is the key to Australian foreign and defence policy.
Oxford Collocations Dictionarydefence/defense + noun- capability
- establishment
- force
- …
- [countable] something that is said or written in order to support something
- a defence of Marxism
- [countable, usually singular] what is said in court to prove that a person did not commit a crime; the act of presenting this argument in court
- Her defence was that she was somewhere completely different at the time of the crime.
- He wanted to conduct his own defence.
- The judge rejected her insanity defence.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- robust
- solid
- …
- conduct
- make
- mount
- …
- attorney
- counsel
- lawyer
- …
- in somebody’s defence
- defence of
- defence to
- …
- counsel for the defence
- the defence[singular + singular or plural verb] the lawyer or lawyers whose job is to prove in court that a person did not commit a crime
- The defence requested more time to prepare their case.
- the defence lawyer/counsel
- (US English also) the defense attorney
- a witness for the defence
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- robust
- solid
- …
- conduct
- make
- mount
- …
- attorney
- counsel
- lawyer
- …
- in somebody’s defence
- defence of
- defence to
- …
- counsel for the defence
- /dɪˈfens//ˈdiːfens/[singular, uncountable] the players who must prevent the other team from scoring; the position of these players on the sports field
- Welford cut through the defence to score the winning goal.
- in defence (British English) She plays in defence.
- on defense (North American English) She plays on defense.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- solid
- staunch
- …
- play
- put up
- destroy
- …
- in defence
- on defence
- [countable] a contest, game, etc. in which the previous winner or winners compete in order to try to win again
- Barcelona’s defence of the Champions League title
protection against attack
support
law
in sport
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French defens, from late Latin defensum (neuter), defensa (feminine), past participles of defendere ‘defend’.
Idioms
play defense (US English)
(Canadian English usually, British English play defence)
- (in sport) to try to stop your opponent from scoring
- What they need is someone who can both score and play defense.
- (informal) to respond to what what others do in order to protect what you already have rather than try to gain more
- If you believe there will be shocks to the market, wouldn't you want a manager who can play defense?