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

Paula Canny, the defense attorney for Momeni, said at a hearing in May that Lee's death arose from a mix of self-defense and accidental harm. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 Dec. 2024

But prosecutors said that the stab wounds were precise, clean and not made by someone in a self-defense posture. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024

The jury was not persuaded by Momeni's self-defense argument. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

For over a year Israel has convinced its allies, and much of the world, that its efforts to annihilate Gaza are a legitimate act of self-defense. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 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