defender
dih-FEHN-duh
Defender (noun) means a person who protects someone or something, or who argues in support of it. Example: “He is a loyal defender of the old village library.”
noun
1
A person who protects someone or something, or who argues in support of it.
"He is a loyal defender of the old village library."
"As a defender of free speech, she wrote a letter to the newspaper."
"She became a passionate defender of workers' rights."
2
In team sports, a player whose main job is stopping the other team from scoring.
"Our defender stayed back to mark the tallest player on their team."
"The young defender blocked the shot with her foot."
"The defender cleared the ball off the line at the last second."
3
A lawyer who represents people accused of crimes, especially a public defender.
"The defender spoke calmly and asked the jury to listen carefully."
"The court assigned her a defender who explained each step of the process."
"A public defender was appointed since he could not afford one."
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Word forms
- Plural
- defenders
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Etymology
From Anglo-Norman defendour, or from Middle English defenden + -ere, following the pattern of "defend" + "-er."
Related words
Rhymes for defender
See all rhymes for defender →Frequently asked questions
What does “defender” mean?
The word “defender” means a person who protects someone or something, or who argues in support of it.
How do you pronounce “defender”?
“Defender” is pronounced dih-FEHN-duh (/dɪˈfɛndə(ɹ)/ in IPA).
How do you use “defender” in a sentence?
Here is “defender” used in a sentence: “She became a passionate defender of workers' rights.”
What part of speech is “defender”?
“Defender” is a noun.
Where does the word “defender” come from?
The word “defender” comes from Middle English. From Anglo-Norman defendour, or from Middle English defenden + -ere, following the pattern of "defend" + "-er.".
Is “defender” a common word?
“Defender” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “defender” have?
“Defender” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who protects someone or something, or who argues in support of it.
What is the difference between a "defender" and a "protector"?
Both keep someone or something safe, but "protector" emphasizes ongoing guardianship, while "defender" stresses actively resisting an attack or arguing in support against opposition. A defender fights off a threat; a protector shields from harm more generally.
What is the difference between a "defender" and a "defendant"?
In standard English a "defender" protects or argues in support of someone or something, while a "defendant" is the person accused or sued in a court case. Despite the similar spelling, they play very different roles in a legal setting.
What is the opposite of "defender"?
The opposite depends on the sense: it is "attacker" in sport or combat, and "critic" or "opponent" when someone is arguing a case. A defender supports and protects, whereas these roles attack or oppose.
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