defence

The act of keeping someone or something safe from attack, danger, or harm.

• The walls provide defence against attack.
• He acted in defence of his family.
• The castle had several layers of defence.

How to use it: defence against something (Thick walls provided defence against attack.); in defence of someone/something (She spoke in defence of her friend.)

Similar words: protection

Opposites: attack

Common phrases: in defence, self defence, defence against attack

The players on a team whose job is to stop the other team from scoring.

• Our defence played well.
• Their defence stopped every attack.
• Who will play in defence today?

Opposites: offence, attack

Common phrases: strong defence, weak defence, play in defence

The accused person and their lawyers in a court case.

• The defence called a witness.
• The judge asked the defence to respond.
• New evidence strengthened the defence case.

Opposites: prosecution

Common phrases: the defence, defence lawyer, defence team

Government plans, spending, and services connected with protecting a country through its armed forces.

• Defence spending increased this year.
• The defence minister visited the troops.
• Parliament debated a new defence policy.

Common phrases: defence spending, defence policy, defence minister