defend Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb argue or speak in defense of
    support; fend for.
    • She supported the motion to strike
  2. verb be on the defensive; act against an attack
  3. verb protect against a challenge or attack
    hold; guard.
    • Hold that position behind the trees!
    • Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
  4. verb fight against or resist strongly
    fight down; oppose; fight back; fight.
    • The senator said he would oppose the bill
    • Don't fight it!
  5. verb protect or fight for as a champion
    champion.
  6. verb be the defense counsel for someone in a trial
    represent.
    • Ms. Smith will represent the defendant
  7. verb state or assert
    maintain.
    • He maintained his innocence

WordNet

De*fend" transitive verb
Etymology
F. défendre, L. defendere; de- + fendere (only in comp.) to strike; perh. akin to Gr. to strike, and E. dint. Cf. Dint, Defense, Fend.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Defended; present participle & verbal noun Defending
Definitions
  1. To ward or fend off; to drive back or away; to repel. A Latinism & Obs.
    Th' other strove for to defend The force of Vulcan with his might and main. Spenser.
  2. To prohibit; to forbid. Obs. Chaucer.
    Which God defend that I should wring from him. Shak.
  3. To repel danger or harm from; to protect; to secure against; attack; to maintain against force or argument; to uphold; to guard; as, to defend a town; to defend a cause; to defend character; to defend the absent; -- sometimes followed by from or against; as, to defend one's self from, or against, one's enemies.
    The lord mayor craves aid . . . to defend the city. Shak.
    God defend the right! Shak.
    A village near it was defended by the river. Clarendon.
  4. (Law.) To deny the right of the plaintiff in regard to (the suit, or the wrong charged); to oppose or resist, as a claim at law; to contest, as a suit. Burrill. Syn. -- To Defend, Protect. To defend is literally to ward off; to protect is to cover so as to secure against approaching danger. We defend those who are attacked; we protect those who are liable to injury or invasion. A fortress is defended by its guns, and protected by its wall.
    As birds flying, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it. Is. xxxi. 5.
    Leave not the faithful side That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. Milton.

Webster 1913