defense
di-FENSE
/dɪˈfens/
The team or players attempting to prevent the opponent from scoring.
Can refer to a specific style of play (e.g., 'zone defense') or the collective group of players (e.g., 'the defense held firm').
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'defendere,' meaning 'to strike away' or 'to ward off.' It is the act of pushing back an attack.
Word relationships
- protection: Protection is a general term; defense is the specific competitive act of blocking an opponent.
- offense: Offense is the act of trying to score.
Commonly confused with
- defensive: Defense is the noun; defensive is the adjective describing the posture or attitude.
Word family
- defend (verb): To protect from harm or danger.
- defender (noun): A player whose primary task is to prevent the opposition from scoring.
Collocations
- solid defense
- zone defense
- defensive wall
- in defense of
Idioms & expressions
- the best defense is a good offense
Example sentences
- "Defense wins championships." Sports maxim (Paul 'Bear' Bryant)
- "The defense was caught off guard by a sudden long ball over the top." Soccer
Memory hook
Defense is like a 'fence' that keeps the other team out. Warding off.
When not to use
In British English, it is spelled 'defence.'
Fun facts
- In the NBA, fans often chant 'DEE-fense' with a rhythmic clap, a tradition that started in the 1950s.
Related words
Also appears in
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