self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s 

1

: a plea of justification for the use of force or for homicide

2

: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Examples of self-defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The homicide figures do not include killings that occurred in self-defense or in other circumstances not measured in Chicago police statistics. —Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2024

The indictments include Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira and Jefferson da Silva Lima, who admitted to the killings but argued self-defense. —Matthew Impelli, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

The agency, with little to dispute Williams’ claims of self-defense, closed the case, ruling that Snipes’ vote was not a factor in his killing. —Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Leslie Reeves, who had a master's degree in engineering, chose instead to teach Pilates and to promote self-defense classes for women. —Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense

ˌself-di-ˈfen(t)s

: the act of defending oneself, one's property, or a close relative

Legal Definition

self-defense

noun

self-de·​fense

ˈself-di-ˈfens

1

: the use of force to defend oneself

2

: an affirmative defense (as to a murder charge) alleging that the defendant used force necessarily to protect himself or herself because of a reasonable belief that the other party intended to inflict great bodily harm or death see also justification sense 2