defence

(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires

(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring

• “his teams are always good on defense”

the defendant and his legal advisors collectively

• “the defense called for a mistrial”

an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack

• “he joined the defense against invasion”

the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions

• “his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive”
• “in defense he said the other man started it”

the justification for some act or belief

• “he offered a persuasive defense of the theory”

a structure used for defense

• “the artillery battered down the defenses”

a defendant''s answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him

• “he gave evidence for the defense”

military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

• “they died in the defense of Stalingrad”
• “they were developed for the defense program”

protection from harm

• “sanitation is the best defense against disease”