What is the meaning of defense?

noun

• Military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies. (
  • usage: "they died in the defense of Stalingrad"; "they were developed for the defense program"
  • synonyms: defence, defensive measure
• Protection from harm.
  • usage: "sanitation is the best defense against disease"
  • synonyms: defence
• Sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring. (
  • usage: "his teams are always good on defense"
  • synonyms: defence, defending team
• The justification for some act or belief.
  • usage: "he offered a persuasive defense of the theory"
  • synonyms: defence, vindication
• Psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires.
  • synonyms: defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence mechanism, defence reaction, defence
• The federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the United States; created in 1947.
  • synonyms: Department of Defense, Defense Department, United States Department of Defense, DoD
• The defendant and his legal advisors collectively.
  • usage: "the defense called for a mistrial"
  • synonyms: defence, defense team, defense lawyers
• The speech act of answering an attack on your assertions.
  • usage: "his refutation of the charges was short and persuasive"; "in defense he said the other man started it"
  • synonyms: refutation, defence
• An organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack.
  • usage: "he joined the defense against invasion"
  • synonyms: defence, defense force, defence force
• A structure used to defend against attack.
  • usage: "the artillery battered down the defenses"
  • synonyms: defensive structure, defence
• A defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him.
  • usage: "he gave evidence for the defense"
  • synonyms: defence, denial, demurrer
• The act of defending someone or something against attack or injury.
  • usage: "a good boxer needs a good defense"; "defense against hurricanes is an urgent problem"
  • synonyms: defence