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
All the pieces seem to be in place for a 49ers resurgence this fall, at least on defense, and Huff has the opportunity to be a key part of that type of success.
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Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Defensively, giving third-year linebacker Raul Aguirre a chance to play significant snaps (23) over former North Carolina State starter Kamal Bonner and former Louisville starter Jaylin Aldeman — neither of whom played at all on defense — also paid off.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
In practice, national security has remained primarily a federal responsibility, with much of the rhetoric and investment centered on defense.
—Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And with several new additions on defense, the hope is that Canales and Young won’t have to scramble to manufacture 30-plus points every Sunday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for on defense
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Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025
Defensively, giving third-year linebacker Raul Aguirre a chance to play significant snaps (23) over former North Carolina State starter Kamal Bonner and former Louisville starter Jaylin Aldeman — neither of whom played at all on defense — also paid off.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025
In practice, national security has remained primarily a federal responsibility, with much of the rhetoric and investment centered on defense.
—Lauren Buitta, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
And with several new additions on defense, the hope is that Canales and Young won’t have to scramble to manufacture 30-plus points every Sunday.
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2025
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 9 Sep. 2025.
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