on defense
idiom
sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.
Examples of on defense in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The group intends to continue supporting Ukraine and wants to enshrine the NATO requirement to 2% of gross domestic product on defense into law.
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TIME, 16 May 2024
In 2018, the first military judge in the case, Col. James L. Pohl, threw out the confessions, citing limits on defense lawyers’ ability to investigate the C.I.A. years, then retired.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 16 May 2024
In a related story, a case could be made that the Dolphins are one player short of being good enough at every position on defense except inside linebacker.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
Meanwhile increasing budget pressures don’t help either: Despite hosting NATO’s headquarters, Belgium spent only 1.1% of GDP on defense in 2023, the second-lowest tally in the alliance — and far from the 2% level members target.
—Craig Stirling, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024
Ducks on defense While Oregon had some significant pickups in the transfer portal, no commitment was bigger than that of four-star edge rusher Nasit Wyatt, from Mater Dei.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 9 May 2024
But, even in his diminished state, the team was better with him on the floor than off it—particularly on defense.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Kansas City — Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio St. Much like Patrick Mahomes on offense, the Chiefs need to constantly replenish Chris Jones’ supporting cast on defense.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
Foster said the middle linebackers have been chosen to receive the communications on defense.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
TIME, 16 May 2024
In 2018, the first military judge in the case, Col. James L. Pohl, threw out the confessions, citing limits on defense lawyers’ ability to investigate the C.I.A. years, then retired.
—Charlie Savage, New York Times, 16 May 2024
In a related story, a case could be made that the Dolphins are one player short of being good enough at every position on defense except inside linebacker.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 May 2024
Meanwhile increasing budget pressures don’t help either: Despite hosting NATO’s headquarters, Belgium spent only 1.1% of GDP on defense in 2023, the second-lowest tally in the alliance — and far from the 2% level members target.
—Craig Stirling, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024
Ducks on defense While Oregon had some significant pickups in the transfer portal, no commitment was bigger than that of four-star edge rusher Nasit Wyatt, from Mater Dei.
—Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 9 May 2024
But, even in his diminished state, the team was better with him on the floor than off it—particularly on defense.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 5 May 2024
Kansas City — Jack Sawyer, Edge, Ohio St. Much like Patrick Mahomes on offense, the Chiefs need to constantly replenish Chris Jones’ supporting cast on defense.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2024
Foster said the middle linebackers have been chosen to receive the communications on defense.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'on defense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near on defense
Cite this Entry
“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 22 May. 2024.
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