Defend: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ
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defend

 

[ dษชหˆfษ›nd ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

in a legal context

To defend means to protect someone or something from attack, harm, or danger. It can also refer to arguing in favor of someone or something in a legal setting.

Synonyms

guard, protect, shield

Examples of usage

  • He hired a lawyer to defend him in court.
  • She defended her thesis against criticism.
  • The soldiers defended the castle from the enemy.
  • We must defend our rights as citizens.
  • The attorney will defend the accused in the trial.
Context #2 | Verb

in a sports context

To defend in sports means to prevent the opposing team from scoring by blocking their attempts to advance or shoot.

Synonyms

block, guard, protect

Examples of usage

  • The goalkeeper made a great save to defend the goal.
  • The basketball player defended the opponent with a strong defense.
  • The team needs to work on their defending skills.
Context #3 | Noun

general context

A defend can refer to an act or action of defending someone or something.

Synonyms

defense, guarding, protection

Examples of usage

  • She put up a strong defend against the criticism.
  • His defend of the company's policies was admirable.

Translations

Translations of the word "defend" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น defender

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฐเค•เฅเคทเคพ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ (raksha karna)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช verteidigen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ membela

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะทะฐั…ะธั‰ะฐั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ broniฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฎˆใ‚‹ (mamoru)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dรฉfendre

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ defender

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท savunmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฉ์–ดํ•˜๋‹ค (bang-eohada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฏุงูุน (daafiสฟ)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ brรกnit

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ brรกniลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้˜ฒๅซ (fรกngwรจi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ braniti

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ verja

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะพั€า“ะฐัƒ (qorวตaw)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒชแƒ•แƒ (dacva)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mรผdafiษ™ etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ defender

Etymology

The word 'defend' originated from the Latin word 'defendere', which means 'to ward off, protect'. It has been used in English since the 13th century, evolving from its Latin roots to encompass various meanings related to protection, legal advocacy, and sports. The concept of defending has been essential throughout history, from defending territories in wars to defending rights in legal battles.

See also: defence, defendant, defendants, defended, defender, defenders, defending, defendingly, defense, defensive.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,742, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.