defender

noun

de·​fend·​er di-ˈfen-dər 

1

: one that defends

2

: a player in a sport (such as football) assigned to a defensive position

Synonyms of defender

• guardian
• custodian
• protector
• protection
• bodyguard

Examples of defender in a Sentence

one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender

Recent Examples on the Web

New Zealand has called up defender Tommy Smith from Braintree Town, which was relegated from the fifth tier of English soccer this season. —James Robson, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2026

In recent days, he’s functioned as the fund’s public face and most visible defender, a role consistent with his comfort in the spotlight. —Eric Tucker, Fortune, 23 May 2026

The 6-foot-2 Gonzalez, who had played 62 minutes across five sub appearances before Saturday, provides power, decision-making, change of pace and ability to draw defenders in and then combine with others, Knowles said. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 23 May 2026

Banda raced past three Summit FC defenders, received the pass and scored her ninth goal of the season in the 71st minute. —Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English defendour, defender, borrowed from Anglo-French defendour, defendur, from defend-, stem of defendre "to defend" + -our, -ur -or entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing defender

• public defender

Rhymes for defender

• bartender
• contender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender

Kids Definition

defender

noun

de·​fend·​er -ˈfen-dər 

1

: one that defends

2

: a player in a sport (as football) who plays a defensive position

Legal Definition

defender

noun

de·​fend·​er

: a lawyer who represents defendants

especially : public defender