See Also: defend(dictionary)
defend(dictionary)

defend (oh)



[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old French; Origin: defendre, from Latin defendere, from fendere 'to hit']
[I and T] to do something in order to protect someone or something from being attacked
::a struggle to defend our homeland
defend sth against/from sth
::the need to defend democracy against fascism
defend yourself (against/from sb/sth)
::advice on how women can defend themselves from sex attackers
defend against
::We need to defend against military aggression.
[T] to use arguments to protect something or someone from criticism, or to prove that something is right
::She was always defending her husband in front of their daughter.
::Students should be ready to explain and defend their views.
defend sb against/from sb/sth
::He defended his wife against rumours and allegations.
defend yourself (against/from sth)
::Cooper wrote to the journal immediately, defending himself.
[T] to do something in order to stop something from being taken away or in order to make it possible for something to continue
::the workers' attempts to defend their interests
::We are defending the right to demonstrate.
[I and T] to protect your own team's end of the field in a game such as football, in order to prevent your opponents from getting points
::Bournemouth defended well throughout the game.
[T] to take part in a competition that you won the last time it was held, and try to win it again
::The world heavyweight champion was defending his title .
::the defending champion
::He is defending a Labour majority of 5,000.
[I and T] to be a lawyer for someone who has been charged with a crime
-see also prosecute prosecute
::He had top lawyers to defend him.
::Howard, defending, said Thompson had been drinking heavily.