defend

views updated

de·fend / diˈfend/ • v. [tr.] resist an attack made on (someone or something); protect from harm or danger. ∎  speak or write in favor of (an action or person); attempt to justify: he defended his policy. ∎  conduct the case for (the party being accused or sued) in a lawsuit: a lawyer who defends dissidents. ∎  compete to retain (a title or seat) in a contest or election: he successfully defended his Congressional seat [as adj.] (defending) the defending champion. ∎  [intr.] (in sports) protect one's goal rather than attempt to score against one's opponents.DERIVATIVES: de·fend·a·ble adj.

More From encyclopedia.com