# defender

/dɪˈfɛndɝ/ (US) · /dɪfˈɛndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/defender
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. sports player

noun · CEFR A2

a player in a game like football whose main job is to stop the other team from scoring goals.

For teachers: a player in a team sport whose primary tactical role is to prevent the opposing side from scoring.

- The defender kicked the ball away just before the striker could take a shot.
- The team's defensive strategy relied on the central defender's ability to anticipate the opponent's passes and intercept them before they reached the penalty area.

### 2. protector

noun · CEFR B1

someone who protects a person, a place, or an idea from being attacked or hurt.

For teachers: one who protects or guards a person, entity, or abstract principle against physical attack or verbal criticism.

- She has always been a strong defender of animal rights in her community.
- Throughout his political career, he remained a staunch defender of free speech, even when the opinions being expressed were deeply unpopular.

### 3. legal representative

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a lawyer who represents a person accused of a crime in court.

For teachers: a legal advocate who represents a defendant in criminal or civil proceedings, most commonly seen in the term 'public defender'.

- The public defender met with his client to prepare for the trial next week.
- The court appointed a public defender to the case after the accused demonstrated that they could not afford private legal representation.

## Examples

- The team's best defender blocked the shot.
- She has always been a fierce defender of environmental rights in her local community.
- The legal team acted as a staunch defender of the defendant's constitutional rights throughout the high-profile trial, challenging every piece of questionable evidence presented by the prosecution.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.