on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The defense chiefs’ article notes that NATO leaders have already committed to spending 5% of gross domestic product on defense by 2035.
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Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Sunny Hills girls basketball coach Jae Byun said his team has been trying to find its identity on defense all year.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Washington has made a slight improvement on defense, especially as a rim protector, but there’s more room for Washington to regain his footing during the final quarter of the season.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Senior forward Devan Cambridge believes UCF sometimes gets too comfortable and needs to toughen up, particularly on defense.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 16 Feb. 2026
Sunny Hills girls basketball coach Jae Byun said his team has been trying to find its identity on defense all year.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
Washington has made a slight improvement on defense, especially as a rim protector, but there’s more room for Washington to regain his footing during the final quarter of the season.
—Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News, 14 Feb. 2026
Senior forward Devan Cambridge believes UCF sometimes gets too comfortable and needs to toughen up, particularly on defense.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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