Defenses
/dɪˈfɛnsɪz/
Definitions
2 meaningsActions, systems, or structures used to protect a person, place, or thing from attack or harm.
/dɪˈfɛnsɪz/
Actions or strategies to protect against attack or harm.
The city built up its defenses to protect against potential invasion.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a fort to keep out bad guys (or bad weather!). Defenses are everything you build—the walls, the watchtowers, the moats—to protect what's inside. Like a football team's defense, they work to stop the other team.
👶 For kids: Things you build or do to keep safe from getting hurt or attacked, like walls around a castle.
More Examples
The company put in place several defenses to prevent cyberattacks.
The team's defenses were exceptionally good, preventing the other team from scoring.
How It's Used
"The country strengthened its defenses along the border."
"The lawyer presented a strong defense for his client."
"The team's defenses were impenetrable."
The act of defending or protecting someone or something from attack or criticism; a justification or explanation.
/dɪˈfɛnsɪz/
The act of defending someone or something.
The lawyer's defenses were strong enough to convince the jury.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're sticking up for a friend who's being picked on. Providing defenses is like explaining why they're right or why they shouldn't be criticized. It's standing up for them, like a lawyer defending their client in court.
👶 For kids: When you are explaining why something is okay, like explaining why your toy is not messy.
More Examples
The article presented several defenses against the criticisms.
The student’s defenses of their research were insightful and well-supported.
How It's Used
"The lawyer presented several defenses on behalf of her client."
"The student's defenses of their argument were well-reasoned."
Idioms & expressions
in defense of
In order to protect or support something or someone.
"He spoke in defense of his friend, who was being wrongly accused."
From Middle English defense, from Old French defense, from Latin defensio ('a warding off, protection'), from defendere ('to ward off, protect').
The word 'defenses' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to physical protection.
Memory tip
Think of a shield and sword protecting something.