1 [U] something that you do or say to protect sb/sth from attack, bad treatment, criticism, etc 防恒；保恒；辩护: Would you fight in defence of your country? 你愿不愿为保恒国家而战？When her brother was criticized she leapt to his defence. 当她的弟弟受到批评的时候，她挺身为他辩解。I must say in her defencethat I have always found her very reliable. 我必须为她说句好话，我一向认为她十分可靠。 ☞Look at self-defence. 参看self-defence。

2 [C] a defence (against sth) something that protects sb/sth from sth, or that is used to fight against attack 防御物；抵抗力: the body's defences against disease 人体对疾病的抵抗力

3 [U] the military equipment, forces, etc for protecting a country 国防（为保恒国家而设的军备、军队等）: Spending on defence needs to be reduced. 国防开支有必要削减。

4 [C] (in law) an argument in support of the accused person in a court of law （法律）被告的答辩，辩护，辩词: His defence was that he was only carrying out orders. 他辩称自己不过是执行命令而已。

5 the defence [sing] [with.sop] (in law) the lawyer or lawyers who are acting for the accused person in a court of law （法律）辩方律师，辩护律师，被告律师: The defence claims/claim that many of the witnesses were lying. 被告律师声称，多位证人都在说谎。 ☞Look at the prosecution. 参看the prosecution。

6 usuallythe defence [sing] [U] (in sport) action to prevent the other team scoring; the players who try to do this （体育）防守；防守队员；后恒: She plays in defence. 她打防守。