self-defense

self-de·fense | \ ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s

How to pronounce self-defense (audio)

\

Definition of self-defense

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

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about self-defense

Dictionary Entries near self-defense

self-dedication

self-definition

Statistics for self-defense

Cite this Entry

“Self-defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-defense. Accessed 12 Jul. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for self-defense

self-defense

noun

English Language Learners Definition of self-defense

: the act of defending yourself, your property, etc.

: skills that make you capable of protecting yourself during an attack

See the full definition for self-defense in the English Language Learners Dictionary

self-defense

self-de·fense | \ ˌself-di-ˈfens \

Kids Definition of self-defense

: someone's act of defending himself or herself or his or her property I acted in self-defense.

self-defense

self-de·fense | \ ˈself-di-ˈfens \

Legal Definition of self-defense

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

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

frisson

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.