Etimology
From French défense, itself from Late Latin dēfensa (“protection”). Displaced native Old English bewering.
noun
defense (countable and uncountable, plural defenses) (American spelling)
The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
Anything employed to oppose attack(s).
An argument in support or justification of something.
(government, military, euphemistic) Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
(obsolete) A prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
Examples
to come to someone's defense
Department of Defense
Related words
synonyms
See also Thesaurus:defense
antonyms
offense
(law) prosecution