defenders
n. countable A2 Elementary US //dɪˈfɛndɝz// UK //dɪfˈɛndəz// de·fend·ers
n. people who protect someone or something from an attack. In sports like football, these are the players who try to stop the other team from scoring.
n. individuals who repel an attack or guard against danger. In a sporting context, players whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
The defenders worked hard to protect their goal.
The castle defenders held their positions for three days until help finally arrived from the north.
While the strikers often receive the most praise for scoring, the team's success this season is largely due to the disciplined coordination of its central defenders.
Usage
The plural form of 'defender'; often used collectively to describe a specific unit within a military or sports team.