defenseman
noun
de·fense·man
di-ˈfen(t)s-mən 
-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
The Kings are using nine forwards and largely four defensemen, with No. 5 blueliner Brandt Clarke getting No. 6 minutes.
—
Eric Stephens, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The Panthers played from behind for the majority of the game after that and played down one defenseman after Niko Mikkola was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct 19 seconds into the third period for boarding Tampa Bay forward Zemgus Girgensons.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
The Devils’ defense is elite when healthy—Dougie Hamilton’s back, and their top-six defensemen locked down an NHL-record seven straight games allowing fewer than 20 shots earlier in the season.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The core also features defensemen Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
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Eric Stephens, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
The Panthers played from behind for the majority of the game after that and played down one defenseman after Niko Mikkola was given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct 19 seconds into the third period for boarding Tampa Bay forward Zemgus Girgensons.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025
The Devils’ defense is elite when healthy—Dougie Hamilton’s back, and their top-six defensemen locked down an NHL-record seven straight games allowing fewer than 20 shots earlier in the season.
—Jay Ginsbach, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
The core also features defensemen Pavel Mintyukov, Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for defenseman
Cite this Entry
“Defenseman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defenseman. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defenseman
noun
de·fense·man
-mən
-ˌman
: a player in a sport who is assigned to a defensive zone or position
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