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

• 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

But the movie had its defenders. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025

At 200 pounds Bush was larger than most of his linemen and a nightmare for defenders. —Mike Organ, Nashville Tennessean, 21 Oct. 2025

Even so, her defenders note Maine has a long history of embracing independent-minded lawmakers from both parties and point to her vote to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial in the final weeks of his first term. —Philip Elliott, Time, 21 Oct. 2025

Taylor – who scored three touchdowns – was regularly easing past defenders, including going untouched into the end zone. —Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 20 Oct. 2025

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