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   de·fend

   /dəˈfend/

   verb

   • 1. resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger: "we shall defend our country, whatever the cost" Similar protectguardsafeguardkeep from harmpreservesecureshieldshelterscreenfortifygarrisonbarricadefight forupholdsupportbe on the side oftake up cudgels forwatch overbe the defender ofOpposite attack
   • ▪ speak or write in favor of (an action or person); attempt to justify: "he defended his policy of imposing high taxes" Similar justifyvindicateargue/speak forspeak on behalf ofsupportspeak in support ofgive an apologia formake a case forplead formake excuses forexcuseexoneratepalliateexplaingive reasons forgive the rationale behindsupportspeak in support ofbackstand bystick up forstand up forargue forchampionendorseupholdcome to the defense ofsustainbolsterinformal:throw one's weight behindOpposite attackcriticizecriticize
   • ▪ conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit: "the lawyer had defended the dissidents"
   • ▪ compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election: "he successfully defended his congressional seat in new elections"
   • ▪ (in sports) protect one's goal rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French defendre, from Latin defendere, from de- ‘off’ + -fendere ‘to strike’. Compare with offend.

   Derivatives

   • 1. defendable adjective

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • D

     2

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defendDefend Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › defend

   • Cached

   The meaning of DEFEND is to drive danger or attack away from. How to use defend in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Defend.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishDEFEND | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   DEFEND definition: 1. to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: 2. to speak or write in support of…. Learn more.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defendDefend - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › defend

   defend. /dɪˈfɛnd/ IPA guide. Other forms: defended; defending; defends. 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.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › defendDEFEND Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › defend

   • Cached

   Defend definition: to ward off attack from; guard against assault or injury (usually followed by from or against). See examples of DEFEND used in a sentence.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryDEFEND | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   DEFEND meaning: 1. to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: 2. to speak or write in support of…. Learn more.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishDEFEND definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   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.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › defendDefend - definition of defend by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › defend

   • Cached

   1. a. To make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm: a vaccine to defend the body from infection. b. To engage in or be prepared to engage in battle to prevent (a population or area, for example) from being captured or occupied by an enemy. 2. Sports. a.