Meaning of defence In English

• 0 protection or support against attack, criticism, or infection:

  • The rebels' only form of defence against the soldiers' guns was sticks and stones.

  • The war has ended but government spending on defence (= the country's armed forces) is still increasing.

  • When Helen criticized me, Chris came/rushed to my defence (= quickly supported me).

  • The book is a closely argued defence of (= something that supports) the economic theory of Keynes.

  • The towers were once an important part of the city's defences.

  • A good diet helps build the body's natural defences.

• 1 an argument or explanation that you use to prove that you are not guilty of something:

  • The judge remarked that ignorance was not a valid defence.

  • All I can say, in defence of my actions, is that I had little choice.

  • She said that she didn't want a lawyer and was going to conduct her own defence.

  • a witness for the defence

  • a defence lawyer

• 2 in some sports, the part of a team that tries to prevent the other team from scoring goals or points:

  • a strong defence

  • I play in defence.

• 3 in the game of chess, a particular set of moves used by the person playing with the black pieces:

  • What defence did you use in that last game?

• 4 an argument or explanation which you use to prove that you are not guilty of something:

  • Now he says he's done nothing wrong, and I assume that will be his defence in court.

  • a defense attorney/lawyer

• 5 the person or people in a law case who have been accused of doing something illegal, and the lawyer or lawyers who are representing them:

  • He claims that official documents of vital importance to the defence were not available.

• 6 a method used by a company to avoid having another company take control of it:

  • The chief executive led a vigorous takeover defence.

  • One possible defence strategy is to mount a higher counter-bid for the parent company.