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
Foster said the middle linebackers have been chosen to receive the communications on defense.
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Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The transition defense and paint defense also slid, with the Lakers not being crisp with getting back on defense once their shooting started to cool off, leading to 21 Denver fast-break points.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
In his senior year, Tillman had 31 touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning, plus 110 tackles, three interceptions and 10 sacks on defense to lead the Chargers to the CCS title.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Davis knows Jokic is good at crashing the glass for defensive rebounds and quickly pushing the ball down the floor, which forces him to have to make the decision as to whether to go after the offensive board or just get back on defense to slow down the Nuggets star in transition.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
In some ways, today’s dilemma is similar: the government must figure out how to spend more on defense while still preserving some level of normalcy, so that the country’s best minds do not leave and businesses can function.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024
Ellis and Mitchell have contributed to the team’s dramatic turnaround on defense.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
What will be the key on defense for the Heat to come away with a win over the 76ers?
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
This signing continues the Chiefs’ offseason trend of running things back on defense after last year’s strong season.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
The transition defense and paint defense also slid, with the Lakers not being crisp with getting back on defense once their shooting started to cool off, leading to 21 Denver fast-break points.
—Khobi Price, Orange County Register, 21 Apr. 2024
In his senior year, Tillman had 31 touchdowns rushing, receiving and returning, plus 110 tackles, three interceptions and 10 sacks on defense to lead the Chargers to the CCS title.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 21 Apr. 2024
Davis knows Jokic is good at crashing the glass for defensive rebounds and quickly pushing the ball down the floor, which forces him to have to make the decision as to whether to go after the offensive board or just get back on defense to slow down the Nuggets star in transition.
—Ryan McFadden, The Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2024
In some ways, today’s dilemma is similar: the government must figure out how to spend more on defense while still preserving some level of normalcy, so that the country’s best minds do not leave and businesses can function.
—Nataliya Gumenyuk, Foreign Affairs, 19 Apr. 2024
Ellis and Mitchell have contributed to the team’s dramatic turnaround on defense.
—Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024
What will be the key on defense for the Heat to come away with a win over the 76ers?
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2024
This signing continues the Chiefs’ offseason trend of running things back on defense after last year’s strong season.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on defense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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