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defend
/dɪˈfend/ verb [T]Definition
› to protect someone or something against attack, criticism, or loss: defend sth/yourself against sth The company has been defending itself against a takeover bid. The unions accused the government of not doing enough to defend jobs. defend your decision/actions
› MONEY, ECONOMICS to take action to stop a currency from losing value: The Bank of England stepped in today to defend the pound.
› LAW to be the lawyer speaking for a person or organization in a court of law, or speaking about a particular case: The accused CEO was defended by one of the country's leading lawyers. The attorney general, whose office defended the case on behalf of the Department of Public Safety, said he anticipates an appeal. → Compare prosecute
› LAW if you defend a legal case against you, you arrange for it to be discussed in a court of law: If you want to defend a claim against you, you have 30 days to file a Statement of Reply with the Tribunal. → Compare prosecute
(Definition of defend verb from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary
© Cambridge University Press)
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