defend

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verb de·fend \di-ˈfend\

Definition of defend

transitive verb
1 a : to drive danger or attack away from <defend our shores> b (1) : to maintain or support in the face of argument or hostile criticism <defend a theory> (2) : to prove (as a doctoral thesis) valid by answering questions in an oral exam c : to attempt to prevent an opponent from scoring at <elects to defend the south goal>
2 archaic : prevent, forbid
3 : to act as attorney for
4 : to deny or oppose the right of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged) : contest
5 : to retain or seek to retain (as a title or position) against a challenge in a contest <they successfully defended their championship>
intransitive verb
1 : to take action against attack or challenge
2 : to play or be on defense <playing deep to defend against a pass>
3 : to play against the high bidder in a card game

defendable

play \ˈfen-də-bəl\ adjective

See defend defined for English-language learners

See defend defined for kids

See words that rhyme with defend

Examples of defend in a sentence

The company must defend its own interests.
We believed it was a cause worth defending.
She defended her friend's behavior.
Stop defending him. What he did was wrong.

Origin and Etymology of defend

Middle English, from Anglo-French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- + -fendere to strike; akin to Old English gūth battle, war, Greek theinein to strike

First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of defend

defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack <defend the country>. protect implies the use of something (as a covering) as a bar to the admission or impact of what may attack or injure <a hard hat to protect your head>. shield suggests protective intervention in imminent danger or actual attack <shielded her eyes from the sun with her hand>. guard implies protecting with vigilance and force against expected danger <White House entrances are well guarded>. safeguard implies taking precautionary protective measures against merely possible danger <our civil liberties must be safeguarded>.

synonyms see in addition maintain

DEFEND Defined for English Language Learners

defend

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verb de·fend \di-ˈfend\

Definition of defend for English Language Learners

: to fight in order to keep (someone or something) safe : to not allow a person or thing to hurt, damage, or destroy (someone or something)
: to fight or work hard in order to keep (something, such as a right, interest, cause, etc.) from being taken away
: to speak or write in support of (someone or something that is being challenged or criticized)

DEFEND Defined for Kids

defend

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verb de·fend \di-ˈfend\

Definition of defend for Students

defended

defending

1 : to protect from danger or attack
2 : to act or speak in favor of when others are opposed <She defended her teacher against the class's complaints.>

Law Dictionary

defend

transitive verb de·fend

Legal Definition of defend

1 : to drive danger or attack away from <using a weapon to defend oneself>
2 : to act as attorney for (a defendant) <appointed to defend the accused>
3 : to deny or oppose the rights of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or claim) <intend to defend the case>
intransitive verb
1 : to take action against attack or challenge <not justified in striking first, but may defend>
2 : to present a defense <may not thereafter defend on grounds of insanity — W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.>