defense (US) noun
or British defence /dɪˈfɛns/ plural defenses
or British defence /dɪˈfɛns/ plural defenses
Learner's definition of DEFENSE
1
: the act of defending someone or something from attack防御；保卫；守卫 [noncount]
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weapons of defense = weapons used for defense防御性武器
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They fought in defense of their country. [=they fought to defend their country]他们为保卫祖国而战。
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the body's first line of defense [=way of defending itself] against illness身体抵御疾病的第一道防线
[count]
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They put up a good defense, but the city ultimately fell to the invaders.他们顽强抵抗，但那座城市最终还是落入侵略者手中。
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They mounted a good defense.他们展开了一次漂亮的防守。
— see also self-defense 2
[count] : something that is used to protect yourself, your country, etc.防御物；防御能力；防御方法 -
The best defense is a good offense. [=the best way to defend something is to try to beat the opposite side]最好的防御是有效进攻。
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The city's defenses were not strong enough to keep out the invaders.这座城市的防御工事不够坚固，难以阻止入侵者。
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We need to improve our defenses.我们需要改进我们的防御工事。
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the nation's air and ground defenses国家的空中和地面防御能力
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often + against -
We have no defense against such powerful weapons. [=we have no way to defend ourselves against such powerful weapons]我们无法抵御这些威力巨大的武器。
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the body's natural defenses against disease and infection人体对疾病和感染的天然防御
3
: the act of speaking or writing in support of someone or something that is being attacked or criticized为…辩解；拥护 [noncount]
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often used in the phrase in defense常用于短语in defense -
She spoke out in defense of justice. [=she defended justice]为维护正义，她大胆直言。
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Let me say, in her defense, that I would have done the same thing that she did.让我替她说句话：我也会像她那么做的。
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He spoke up in his own defense. [=he defended himself]他为自己申辩。
[count]
—
usually singular通常用单数 4
[noncount] : the things that are done by a country to protect itself from enemies防御措施 -
In my view, the most important issue facing our country today is national defense.在我看来，现在我们国家面临的最重要问题就是国防。
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The candidates accused each other of being soft/weak on defense.竞选者互相指责对方的防御措施软弱。
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The President wants to increase spending on defense.总统想要增加国防开支。
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He was the Secretary of Defense under the last President.他是上届总统手下的国防部长。
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often used before another noun常用于另一名词前 -
He proposed an increase in defense spending.他提议增加国防开支。
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the defense secretary/minister/department国防部长/大臣/部
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They signed a billion-dollar defense contract with the company.他们与这家公司签署了一份价值10亿美元的国防订单。
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cuts in the defense budget削减国防预算
5
a [singular] : the side of a legal case which argues that a person who is being sued or accused of a crime is innocent : the lawyer or lawyers who represent the defendant in a court case被告；辩方；辩护律师 -
His friends are raising money (to pay) for his defense.他的朋友们正在筹钱给他请辩护律师。
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The defense rests, Your Honor.法官大人，辩方举证完毕。
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The defense told the jury that the prosecution had not proved its case.辩护律师告诉陪审团，控方未证明所控属实。
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often used before another noun常用于另一名词前 -
defense attorneys/lawyers被告辩护律师
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a defense witness [=a person who speaks to support the defense's case]辩方证人
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He had three lawyers on his defense team.他的辩护团队有三名律师。
— compare prosecution b [count] : the method that is used in a court case to prove that someone is innocent（法庭上的）辩护，答辩，抗辩 -
Her lawyers plan to use an insanity defense. [=they will say that she was not sane when she committed the crime]她的律师们计划为她进行精神错乱辩护。
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It's a valid defense, and I think we should be able to win the case.这种辩护有效，我认为我们能够打赢这场官司。
6 /ˈdiːˌfɛns/
a : the group of players on a team who try to stop an opponent from scoring防守队员 [count]
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He ran through the defense and scored a touchdown.他突破防守队员达阵得分。
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Our team has the best defense in the league.我们球队有全联盟最好的防守队员。
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a talented defense有才干的防守队员
[noncount]
b [noncount] : the way that players on a team try to stop an opponent from scoring防守技巧；防守方法 — compare offense 4