defenseman
noun
de·fense·man
di-ˈfen(t)s-mən 
-ˌman
: a player in a sport (such as hockey) who is assigned to a defensive zone or position
Examples of defenseman in a Sentence
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Detroit's Elmer Soderblom left late in the first period after being hit in the face by Washington defenseman Jakob Chychrun's pass.
—
CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Kings’ second goal came on a fluke play, with Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling’s clearing attempt from deep in the Panthers’ defensive zone instead bouncing off Kings forward Kevin Fiala and going straight into the Florida net.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
The defenseman backhanded the puck to Pastrnak at the edge of the left circle.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
On Friday morning, the Wild recalled defenseman David Jiricek from Iowa of the American Hockey League as an insurance policy in case veteran Jonas Brodin is unable to play against Ottawa.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Dec. 2025
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CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025
The Kings’ second goal came on a fluke play, with Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling’s clearing attempt from deep in the Panthers’ defensive zone instead bouncing off Kings forward Kevin Fiala and going straight into the Florida net.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025
The defenseman backhanded the puck to Pastrnak at the edge of the left circle.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
On Friday morning, the Wild recalled defenseman David Jiricek from Iowa of the American Hockey League as an insurance policy in case veteran Jonas Brodin is unable to play against Ottawa.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 12 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defenseman
Cite this Entry
“Defenseman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defenseman. Accessed 23 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defenseman
noun
de·fense·man
-mən
-ˌman
: a player in a sport who is assigned to a defensive zone or position
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