Definition of Defence

Noun: defence di'fen(t)s
Usage: Brit, Cdn (US: defense)

(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
"they died in the defence of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defence program"; "they died in the defence of Stalingrad";
- defense [US], defensive measure
Protection from harm
"sanitation is the best defence against disease";
- defense [US]
(sport) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
"his teams are always good on defence";
- defense [US], defending team
The justification for some act or belief
"he offered a persuasive defence of the theory";
- defense [US], vindication, account
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
- defense mechanism [US], defense reaction [US], defence mechanism [Brit, Cdn], defence reaction [Brit, Cdn], defense [US]
The defendant and his legal advisors collectively
"the defence called for a mistrial";
- defense [US], defense team [US], defense lawyers [US], defence team [Brit, Cdn], defence lawyers [Brit, Cdn]
The speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
"in defence he said the other man started it"; "his defence of the charges was short and persuasive";
- refutation, defense [US]
An organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
"he joined the defence against invasion";
- defense [US], defense force [US], defence force [Brit, Cdn]
A structure used to defend against attack
"the artillery battered down the defences";
- defensive structure, defense [US]
(law) a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
"he gave evidence for the defence";
- defense [US], denial, demurrer
The act of defending someone or something against attack or injury
"a good boxer needs a good defence"; "defence against hurricanes is an urgent problem";
- defense [US]