defenseman

noun

de·​fense·​man di-ˈfen(t)s-mən How to pronounce defenseman (audio)
-ˌman
: a player in a sport (such as hockey) who is assigned to a defensive zone or position

Examples of defenseman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The wine sweepstakes aren’t just for defensemen such as Schmidt. Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025 On the winning goal, Celebrini stole the puck from defensemen Braden Schneider in the corner to the left of the Rangers’ net, took a stride, and fed Smith with a cross-ice pass for a one-timer that beat goalie Igor Shesterkin. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025 The Ducks played the final two periods with five defensemen after Radko Gudas suffered a lower-body injury. Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025 Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian, injured in the team’s loss in Washington last Friday, returned to Minnesota ahead of the team and underwent what Hynes called a procedure. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for defenseman

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of defenseman was in 1877

Cite this Entry

“Defenseman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defenseman. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

defenseman

noun
de·​fense·​man -mən How to pronounce defenseman (audio)
-ˌman
: a player in a sport who is assigned to a defensive zone or position
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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