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

The bill leaves for sale a wide range of other firearms usable for self-defense or other lawful purposes. — John Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026

Prosecutors at the time said Missouri’s broad self-defense laws created a burden to securing a murder conviction; Miller was initially charged with second-degree murder. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2026

With their verdict, jurors rejected Hoempler’s self-defense theory. — Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Although no plant is 100% animal-proof, some spring-blooming bulbs have toxic or unpalatable self-defenses that deer, rabbits and rodents tend to avoid. — ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-defense

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

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