Origin: Latin suffix -ence
Defence has 13 different meanings across 1 category:
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
"During therapy, she learned how her mind uses defence mechanisms like denial to protect herself from the overwhelming guilt of repressed childhood wishes."
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring
"his teams are always good on defense"
the defendant and his legal advisors collectively
"the defense called for a mistrial"
an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack
"he joined the defense against invasion"
the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions
"his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"
"in defense he said the other man started it"
the justification for some act or belief
"he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"
a structure used to defend against attack
"the artillery battered down the defenses"
(military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies
"they died in the defense of Stalingrad"
"they were developed for the defense program"
The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
"The goalkeeper made a brilliant defence that kept the ball out and prevented the team from scoring."
In plain English: Defence is the act of protecting yourself or something else from being hurt or attacked.
"The team's strong defence kept the opponent from scoring any goals."
Usage: Use "defence" in British English to refer to the act of protecting someone or something from harm or attack. In American English, the spelling is typically simplified to "defense."
To furnish with defences; to fortify.
"The general ordered his troops to dig trenches and pile earth mounds around the city walls before the enemy arrived."
In plain English: To defend means to protect someone or something from being hurt or attacked.
"The lawyer asked the witness to defend his claim that he was not present at the scene."
Usage: Use the verb "defence" only in very formal or military contexts to mean furnishing something with protective barriers, such as defending a city against an attack. In everyday speech and most other situations, you should use the verb "defend" instead.
The word defence entered English from the Old French defens, which came from the Late Latin dēfēnsa meaning "protection." It replaced an earlier Old English term, bewering.