definition of
defense

[1] #1 defense n. [defence, defensive measure] (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". wn

[2] #2 defense n. [defence] protection from harm; "sanitation is the best defense against disease". wn

[3] #3 defense n. [defence, defending team] (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring; "his teams are always good on defense". wn

[4] #4 defense n. [defence, vindication] the justification for some act or belief; "he offered a persuasive defense of the theory". wn

[5] #5 defense n. [defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defence] (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires. wn