n.

1. (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires;
   defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defense
2. (sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring;
   defense, defending team
   
   • his teams are always good on defense
3. the defendant and his legal advisors collectively;
   defense, defense team, defense lawyers
   
   • the defense called for a mistrial
4. an organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack;
   defense, defense force, defence force
   
   • he joined the defense against invasion
5. the speech act of answering an attack on your assertions;
   refutation, defense
   
   • his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive
   • in defense he said the other man started it
6. the justification for some act or belief;
   defense, vindication
   
   • he offered a persuasive defense of the theory
7. a structure used to defend against attack;
   defensive structure, defense
   
   • the artillery battered down the defenses
8. a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him;
   defense, denial, demurrer
   
   • he gave evidence for the defense
9. military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies;
   defense, defensive measure
   
   • they died in the defense of Stalingrad
   • they were developed for the defense program
10. protection from harm;
    defense
    
    • sanitation is the best defense against disease