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

On the few occasions Mbappe was able to get into the box, the Real Madrid striker was swarmed by multiple defenders as Spain was determined to make anybody else defeat them. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

Given England’s attacking strength, Argentina’s defenders carry limited immediate appeal. — Abdul Rehman, New York Times, 14 July 2026

As the defender swung his leg at the ball, Yamal nipped in ahead of him and was accidentally kicked by Digne. — Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Already established as a strong rebounder and defender, adding that offensive element raised her draft stock year-over-year higher than any other prospect. — Los Angeles Times, 14 July 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