defend
♦♦ de|fend /dɪf'end/ (defends defending defended)
1 [VERB] V n
If you defend someone or something, you take action in order to protect them.
His courage in defending religious and civil rights inspired many outside the church...
≠ attack
2 [VERB] V n
If you defend someone or something when they have been criticized, you argue in support of them.
Matt defended all of Clarence's decisions, right or wrong...
≠ attack
3 [VERB] V n, V n against n, V
When a lawyer defends a person who has been accused of something, the lawyer argues on their behalf in a court of law that the charges are not true.
...a lawyer who defended political prisoners during the military regime...
He has hired a lawyer to defend him against the allegations...
Guy Powell, defending, told magistrates: `It's a sad and disturbing case.'
4 [VERB] V n
When a sports player plays in the tournament which they won the previous time it was held, you can say that they are defending their title. (JOURNALISM)
Torrence expects to defend her title successfully in the next Olympics...
1 [VERB] V n
If you defend someone or something, you take action in order to protect them.
His courage in defending religious and civil rights inspired many outside the church...
≠ attack
2 [VERB] V n
If you defend someone or something when they have been criticized, you argue in support of them.
Matt defended all of Clarence's decisions, right or wrong...
≠ attack
3 [VERB] V n, V n against n, V
When a lawyer defends a person who has been accused of something, the lawyer argues on their behalf in a court of law that the charges are not true.
...a lawyer who defended political prisoners during the military regime...
He has hired a lawyer to defend him against the allegations...
Guy Powell, defending, told magistrates: `It's a sad and disturbing case.'
4 [VERB] V n
When a sports player plays in the tournament which they won the previous time it was held, you can say that they are defending their title. (JOURNALISM)
Torrence expects to defend her title successfully in the next Olympics...