defence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "defence" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It is often used in the context of legal proceedings, political arguments, and any discussion in which one party is attempting to resist an attack from another. For example, "The attorney provided a strong defence to the plaintiff's allegations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Every country in the world has a right to self-defence and I'm determined to put Britain's first-class defence industry at the forefront of this market, supporting 300,000 jobs across the country".

The Guardian - Business

However, a South Korean defence official said separately that North Korea could develop a fully operational submarine with ballistic missiles within two or three years.

The Guardian

North Korea's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile from a submarine was "very serious and concerning", South Korea said on Monday, with one defence official suggesting Pyongyang could have a fully operational platform in two or three years.

The Guardian

The defence ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were meeting on Thursday and the situation in the Baltic sea would be the "number one topic of the meeting", Siemoniak said.

The Guardian

Defence fits more comfortably into the Tory worldview than Labour's.

The Guardian - Opinion

The principle is simple in theory — Beijing is responsible for the city's defence and foreign affairs; Hong Kong enjoys limited self-governance and civil liberties, including an independent judiciary and unrestricted press.

The Guardian

The growing gulf between Saudi Arabia and its more sceptical western partners is nowhere more apparent than in the key area of security and defence cooperation, upon which the relationship was founded in 1915.

The Guardian

"In connection with the completion of the routine springtime training phase for troops that involved their deployment to training grounds in the Rostov, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, among others, the president of Russia gave the command to the defence minister to return the troops taking part in the exercises to their home bases," the Kremlin said.

The Guardian

The defence offered by one of the latest care employers to be named and shamed, East Midlands Crossroads – Caring for Carers, that the rules are "complex, in parts ambiguous and open to interpretation", does not sound good.

The Guardian

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

"If there had been inquests in world war one, they'd still be happening," says one former defence minister.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defence" in contexts where protection against attack or justification is central to the discussion.

Common error

Ensure you're using "defence" to describe protective measures or justifications, not aggressive actions. Confusing the two can drastically alter the meaning of your statement. For example, using defence when describing an assault would be inaccurate.

Linguistic Context

The word "defence" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the action of defending, a means of protection, or an argument in support of something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, aligning with this core grammatical role. This also means it is used to express abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defence" is a versatile noun used to describe protection, justification, and resistance. As validated by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, business, and general discussions. The best practice is to specify the type of "defence" to provide clarity, while avoiding confusion with its antonym, "offence". Related terms such as "protection", "security", and "safeguard" offer alternative ways to convey similar meanings, expanding writing versatility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protection

Emphasizes the act of shielding from harm or danger.

safeguard

Highlights the measures taken to ensure safety and security.

security

Focuses on the state of being free from danger or threat.

shielding

Suggests a physical or metaphorical barrier against attack.

fortification

Implies the strengthening of defenses against potential threats.

guarding

Focuses on the act of vigilance and protection.

preservation

Highlights the act of maintaining something in its original state against harm.

upholding

Emphasizes the act of supporting or maintaining a principle or law.

justification

Focuses on providing reasons or evidence to support an action or belief.

vindication

Suggests clearing someone of blame or suspicion.

FAQs

How is "defence" used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "defence" refers to the arguments and evidence presented by the defendant to counter the prosecution's case. It can also refer to the legal team representing the defendant.

What are some synonyms for "defence" in military or strategic discussions?

In military or strategic discussions, synonyms for "defence" include "protection", "security", and "safeguard". The specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

How does "defence" differ from "defense"?

"Defence" is the British English spelling, while "defense" is the American English spelling. Both refer to the same concept.

What is the role of "defence" in sports?

In sports, "defence" refers to the actions and strategies employed by a team or player to prevent the opposing team from scoring or gaining an advantage. It also refers to the players whose primary role is to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.