defender

noun

de·​fend·​er di-ˈfen-dər 

1

: one that defends

2

: a player in a sport (such as football) assigned to a defensive position

Synonyms

• custodian
• guard
• guardian
• guardian angel
• protection
• protector

Examples of defender in a Sentence

one of the traditional roles of an older brother is that of schoolyard defender

Recent Examples on the Web

The fourth turnover came in the third quarter when Jonnu Smith fumbled after a trio of Jets defenders crunched the tight end. —C. Isaiah Smalls Ii, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025

Having an extra defender on either side to support him should address those concerns on both individual and team levels. —Alex Brodie, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025

Walker is prolific as a pass rusher but requires work as a run defender. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 6 Jan. 2025

That was on display throughout the game as the Vikings often appeared to be in position to make the tackle only to have Gibbs accelerate his way past a a host of defenders in the open field for a big gain. —Dane Mizutani, Twin Cities, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English defendour, defender, borrowed from Anglo-French defendour, defendur, from defend-, stem of defendre "to defend" + -our, -ur -or entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing defender

• public defender

Kids Definition

defender

noun

de·​fend·​er -ˈfen-dər 

1

: one that defends

2

: a player in a sport (as football) who plays a defensive position

Legal Definition

defender

noun

de·​fend·​er

: a lawyer who represents defendants

especially : public defender