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 moves left the Sharks with eight defensemen, including Thrun, on one-way contracts. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 11 July 2025 Colorado signed defenseman Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension through the 2027-28 season, the team announced on Thursday. Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 10 July 2025 The San Jose Sharks, who entered the day $20 million below the salary-cap floor, got a little closer by signing defenseman John Klingberg to a $4 million contract for next season. John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025 The Blues also attempted to get right-shot defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last week, but Montreal made the deal instead and signed an eight-year, $76 million contract ($9.5 million average annual value). Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 2 July 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 21 Jul. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!