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

However, the white paper justifies China's development of missile defense capabilities, saying it is motivated solely by self-defense and does not target any country or region. —Ryan Chan, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025

Lai on Wednesday vowed to build up Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities in the face of growing threats from Beijing, aiming to achieve a high level of combat readiness by 2027. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

In 2020, Rondo’s associate Lul Timm shot and killed Von outside an Atlanta nightclub, claiming self-defense; charges were later dismissed. —Janeé Bolden, Rolling Stone, 26 Nov. 2025

Delevingne recommends everyone — especially women — take a self-defense class, and shares that she's equipped herself to be prepared for worst-case scenarios by learning martial arts. —Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 26 Nov. 2025

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