self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s 

1

: a plea of justification for the use of force or for homicide

2

: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Examples of self-defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dayton James Webber, 27, is accused of fatally shooting a front-seat passenger after an argument, his lawyer claiming self-defense. —Greg Cote april 5, Miami Herald, 5 Apr. 2026

Black paired up with Marcello Hernández to play martial arts instructors who teach unorthodox self-defense methods. —Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2026

Gerhardt Konig hoped Thursday to persuade a Hawaiian jury that hitting his wife repeatedly with a rock was self-defense. —April 2, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026

Learning self-defense and undergoing firearms training is a critical component of that pledge. —Gayle Pearlstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-defense

• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• penitence
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense
• dense

Kids Definition

self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense

ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s

: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Legal Definition

self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense

ˈself-di-ˈfens

1

: the use of force to defend oneself

2

: an affirmative defense (as to a murder charge) alleging that the defendant used force necessarily to protect himself or herself because of a reasonable belief that the other party intended to inflict great bodily harm or death see also justification sense 2