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

With Giménez playing second base and Daulton Varsho playing centre field, the Blue Jays will now field two of the game’s top defenders, per Defensive Runs Saved, up the middle. —Kaitlyn McGrath, The Athletic, 19 Dec. 2024

The Yankees sent spot starter Cody Poteet to the Chicago Cubs to acquire Bellinger, giving them a middle-of-the-order hitter and a premium defender at first base or in the outfield. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 19 Dec. 2024

Sauerbrunn, one of the greatest defenders in USWNT history, played in three FIFA World Cups and three Olympic Games. —Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

The second cannon was found on the battlefield itself and had been fired by the Spanish defenders. —Jack Guy, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

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