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