- defend */*/*/
- UK [dɪˈfend] / US
verb
Word forms "defend":
present tense I/you/we/they defend he/she/it defends present participle defending past tense defended past participle defended1) [transitive] to protect someone or something from attackdefend someone/something from/against something:Thousands of young men came forward, willing to defend their country.
defend yourself:Steps are being taken to defend the city against attack.
You have a right to defend yourself if you are being attacked.
2) [transitive] to prevent something from failing, stopping, or being taken awayHundreds of miners are fighting to defend their jobs.
We will defend their right to free speech.
3) [transitive] to say things to support someone or something that is being criticizedstrongly/strenuously/vigorously defend:Mr Rose defended the committee's decision to publish the report early.
defend yourself against something:He vigorously defended his party's record on human rights.
They must be given the opportunity to defend themselves against these allegations.
4) [intransitive] to play in a team sport in a position in which you are trying to prevent the other team from getting pointsThe opposition defended brilliantly in the second half.
5) [transitive] to attempt to win a competition that you won last time in order to keep your position as winnersuccessfully defend:She will be defending her Wimbledon title later this month.
Can Baxter successfully defend his heavyweight championship?
6) [intransitive/transitive] legal to be the lawyer in a court case who tries to prove that someone is not guilty
English dictionary. 2014.