defend

verb [T] (PROTECT)

/dɪˈfend/

Definition

B1 to protect someone or something against attack or criticism: How can we defend our homeland if we don't have an army? White blood cells help defend the body against infection. They are fighting to defend their beliefs/interests/rights. He vigorously defended his point of view. The Bank of England intervened this morning to defend the pound (= stop it from losing value). The prime minister was asked how he could defend (= explain his support for) a policy that increased unemployment. He will be defending (= trying not to lose) his title at the European Championships next week. I'm going to karate lessons to learn how to defend myself. I can't afford a lawyer so I shall defend myself (= argue my own case in a law court). → Compare attack verbBacking, supporting and defendingDefending and protecting

(Definition of defend verb (PROTECT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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