Definition of defend verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

defend

verb

/dɪˈfend/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they defend	/dɪˈfend/ /dɪˈfend/
he / she / it defends	/dɪˈfendz/ /dɪˈfendz/
past simple defended	/dɪˈfendɪd/ /dɪˈfendɪd/
past participle defended	/dɪˈfendɪd/ /dɪˈfendɪd/
-ing form defending	/dɪˈfendɪŋ/ /dɪˈfendɪŋ/

protect against attack/loss

[transitive, intransitive] to protect somebody/something from attack

defend somebody/something The role of the military is to defend the country.
Troops have been sent to defend the borders.
defend somebody/something against somebody/something The male birds defend their territory against other males.
defend somebody/something from somebody/something The cannons once defended the city from attack by sea.
defend yourself (from/against somebody/something) All our officers are trained to defend themselves against knife attacks.
defend against somebody/something It is impossible to defend against an all-out attack.

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Extra Examples

She successfully defended herself against an attack from someone larger and stronger.
The city was heavily defended against attack.
They attacked the left flank, which was only lightly defended.
The international community should step into defend the powerless.

Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb

preposition

Definitions on the go

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[transitive] defend something to protect something that you value and prevent it from being taken away

The organization works to defend human rights wherever they are threatened.
Freedom must always be defended.
The ruling class will always defend its own interests.
People must be vigilant in defending civil liberties regardless of external threats.

[transitive] to say or write something in support of somebody/something that has been criticized

They defended their decision to pull out of the event.
The minister vigorously defended the policy.
How can you defend such behaviour?
I realized I couldn't logically defend my position.
defend somebody/something against somebody/something The article seeks to defend him against charges of hypocrisy.
defend somebody/something from somebody/something Her colleagues united in defending her from further personal attacks.
defend yourself (from/against somebody/something) Politicians are skilled at defending themselves against their critics.