B1noun · countable / uncountable · common

defence

defence · defences

захист, оборона

оборона, защита, оборонительные сооружения

Verteidigung, Wehr

The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injuryThe action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.

/dɪˈfɛns/

» The enemy has penetrated our defences.

Meaning

7 senses

(UK, countable, uncountable)The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury
(UK, countable, uncountable)Something used to oppose attacks.
(UK, countable, uncountable)An argument in support or justification of something.
the justification for some act or belief
(UK, countable, uncountable)A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
(UK, countable, uncountable)The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
(UK, countable, uncountable)Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
Department of Defence
(UK, countable, obsolete, uncountable)Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.

4 sentences

The enemy has penetrated our defences.
CC BY · Tatoeba · sabretou · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
I can't feel safe enough to lower my defences.
CC BY · Tatoeba · Nuel · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Our last air raid completely destroyed the enemy's already-crippled air defences.
CC BY · Tatoeba · soliloquist · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Tighten the defences! They're coming!
ruНапрячь оборону! Они идут!
CC BY · Tatoeba · blay_paul · B1Open on Tatoeba Report a problem

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfē

From Middle English defens, defense, from Old French defens, defense, from Late Latin dēfēnsa (“protection”). Displaced Old English bewering.

Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source

plural: defences

Singular	defence
Plural	defences

regular

16 synonyms

Close in meaning

the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury:defense
protection from harm:defense
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies:defense defensive measure
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against them:defense denial demurrer
the justification for some act or belief:defense vindication
an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack:defense defense force defence force

2 antonyms

1 lessons