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

Defense attorneys have argued Moore killed Mahoney in self-defense. —Andy Rose, CNN, 31 Oct. 2024

In 1966: California college students Huey Newton and Bobby Seale created the Black Panther Party, a revolutionary organization that promoted Black nationalism, socialism, and armed self-defense – particularly against police brutality. —Lorenzino Estrada, The Arizona Republic, 30 Oct. 2024

The Irish actress shared The Graham Norton Show sofa with Paul Mescal, Eddie Redmayne, and Denzel Washington on Friday and talk turned to self-defense skills. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2024

But the clip quickly took off on social media, with a few detractors dunking on Mescal’s blasé attitude to self-defense. —Sam Reed, Glamour, 28 Oct. 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