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

Then in the re-opening stages of play, Robin Lod cut back inside the box and had an open goal before defender Ian Picher made a goal-line clearance in the 47th minute. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Nov. 2025

Mauling defenders in the run game? —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2025

The Panthers’ 26-year-old defender said his actions were in response to Jennings’ trash talking and physicality after plays throughout the game. —Charlotte Observer, 25 Nov. 2025

San Francisco opened strong with a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, capped by Purdy’s short pass to Jauan Jennings, who fought through three Panthers defenders to score. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 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