defend
Americanverb (used with object)
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to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from oragainst ).
The sentry defended the gate against sudden attack.
- Antonyms:
- attack
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to maintain by argument, evidence, etc.; uphold.
She defended her claim successfully.
- Synonyms:
- vindicate
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to contest (a legal charge, claim, etc.).
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Law. to serve as attorney for (a defendant).
He has defended some of the most notorious criminals.
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to support (an argument, theory, etc.) in the face of criticism; prove the validity of (a dissertation, thesis, or the like) by answering arguments and questions put by a committee of specialists.
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Sports. to attempt to retain (a championship title, position, etc.), as in a competition against a challenger.
A fortuitous trade has landed him on the team defending the World Series championship.
verb (used without object)
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Law. to enter or make a defense.
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Sports. to prevent the opposing team from scoring.
She’s a freshman who already scores and defends like a professional.
verb
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to protect (a person, place, etc) from harm or danger; ward off an attack on
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(tr) to support in the face of criticism, esp by argument or evidence
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to represent (a defendant) in court in a civil or criminal action
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sport to guard or protect (oneself, one's goal, etc) against attack
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(tr) to protect (a championship or title) against a challenge
Synonym Usage
Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a single instance or continuously: to preserve a spirit of conciliation. To protect is to keep safe by interposing a shield or barrier: to protect books by means of heavy paper covers.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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undefendedadjective
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undefendablyadverb
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well-defendedadjective
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undefendableadjective
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defendableadjective
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defendernoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have defendedperfect
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has defendedperfect 3rd person singular
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are defendingprogressive
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has been defendingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is defendingprogressive 3rd person singular
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am defendingprogressive 1st person singular
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defendssingular 3rd person
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have been defendingperfect progressive
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defendingparticiple
Past
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had defendedperfect
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were defendingprogressive plural
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had been defendingperfect progressive
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was defendingprogressive singular
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defendedparticiple
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defendedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of defend
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English defenden, from Old French défendre, from Latin dēfendere “to ward off, repel,” from dē- de- + -fendere “to strike” ( see also bane ( def. ))
Explanation
Defend has different shades of meaning, but it always has the sense of protecting something — your ideas, for instance, or your title as world heavyweight champion. If you order the blood sausage and lamb when you're out to eat with your vegan friends, you may have to defend your eating habits, meaning speak up in support of your choices. Defend can also be something more concrete, like when you defend your property or your country. The lawyer who represents someone accused of a crime is there to defend the accused person — who is called the defendant — and to argue his case in court.
Vocabulary lists containing defend
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Veterans Day Vocabulary
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The researchers were able to learn about bugs, but such information can also be useful to technology staffers trying to defend networks, cybersecurity experts say.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 14, 2026
“As we share our preparation to defend communities and build wildfire resilience, it’s a call to action,” Angeles National Forest Fire Chief Robert Garcia said.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026
Sánchez said he would defend his “popular victory.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026
“This lawsuit is meritless, and we plan to pursue a countersuit to defend the institution.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026
Where was the Boaz that was ready to punch out a guest to defend her?
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
