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 far-right party’s top leadership takes staunchly pro-Israel and anti-Muslim positions, using both to frame itself as a defender of Jewish interests. —Zack Beauchamp, Vox, 19 Mar. 2025

Free agency’s pathway to the draft Joel M. asks (via Bluesky): Free agency sets Carolina up to take a pass rushing edge defender in the first round, but how will Carolina seek to address the WR position? —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 19 Mar. 2025

Before going public with his abuse claims in 2013, Robson was one of Jackson’s most vociferous defenders, denying the pop star had ever behaved inappropriately and serving as a key defense witness in Jackson’s 2005 child molestation trial. —Danielle Bacher, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025

The Bucs need more daredevil defenders who can wheel and steal the football. —Rick Stroud, Orlando Sentinel, 18 Mar. 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

Rhymes for defender

• bartender
• contender
• engender
• extender
• offender
• pretender
• provender
• surrender
• suspender
• transgender
• bender
• blender

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