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defend

v.
US //dɪˈfɛnd// UK //dɪfˈɛnd// de·fend
  1. 1 to protect from attack (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to protect someone or something from a physical attack or danger.

    to ward off an attack or protect a person, place, or object from physical harm.

    Example

    The soldiers worked through the night to defend the city from the approaching army.

    Example

    The fortress was strategically positioned on the cliffside to defend the harbor against naval incursions during the winter months.
  2. 2 to support an idea (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to speak or write in favor of something when other people are criticizing it.

    to support or justify an action, idea, or person by argument or evidence.

    Example

    She had to defend her decision to quit her job when her parents questioned her.

    Example

    The professor spent the entire seminar defending his controversial thesis against a barrage of criticism from his peers.
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  1. 3 legal representation (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Law

    to act as a lawyer for someone who has been accused of a crime.

    to represent a defendant in a civil or criminal court case.

    Example

    A famous lawyer was hired to defend the man accused of the robbery.

    Example

    The public defender was tasked with defending the suspect, despite the overwhelming amount of forensic evidence presented by the prosecution.
  2. 4 sports (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Sport

    to try to stop the other team from scoring points.

    to focus energy on preventing the opposing team from scoring, or to protect one's own goal.

    Example

    The team needs to defend better if they want to win the championship this year.

    Example

    The coach instructed the players to defend aggressively in the final quarter to preserve their narrow two-point lead.
  3. 5 to keep a title (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Sport

    to compete in a competition that you won last time to try and win it again.

    to compete as the current champion in order to retain a title or trophy.

    Example

    The boxer will defend his world title in a match next month.

    Example

    Having won the tournament last year, she returned to the court under immense pressure to defend her ranking against younger challengers.
Origin

From Middle English defenden, from Old French defendre, deffendre (Modern French défendre), from Latin dēfendō (“to ward off”), from Proto-Italic fendō, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰen-. Displaced native Old English bewerian.

Word family

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