defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard mean to keep secure from danger or against attack. defend denotes warding off actual or threatened attack.

DEFEND definition: 1. to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: 2. to speak or write in support of…. Learn more.

To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To preserve is to keep safe in the midst of danger, either in a …

Definition of defend verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

These verbs mean to make or keep safe from danger, attack, or harm. Defend implies repelling or being ready to repel an attack: The army defended the border against the enemy. The politician responded …

Defend, guard, preserve, protect all mean to keep safe. To defend is to strive to keep safe by resisting attack: to defend one's country. To guard is to watch over in order to keep safe: to guard a camp. To …

Jan 20, 2026 · defend (third-person singular simple present defends, present participle defending, simple past and past participle defended) (transitive) To ward off attacks against; to fight to protect; …

To vindicate; uphold; maintain by force, argument, or evidence: as, to defend one's rights and privileges; to defend a cause or claim at law. Synonyms Protect, Shelter, etc. (see keep), guard, shield.

To defend is to protect or guard against harm or danger, typically in context of an attack or potential threats. It can also refer to resisting or standing up against something that is seen as harmful or …

defend, v. transitive (reflexive). To protect oneself from… View entry 1488–1500