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

This racist propaganda sought to justify white terrorism as a means of self-defense. — Made By History, Time, 9 Apr. 2025

Simpson responded that self-defense either applied to all three counts or to none of the counts, based on jurors’ findings. —Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2025

Skarsgård plays a man charged with protecting endangered tigers who is given the challenging task of hunting down and killing a tiger who killed a poacher in self-defense. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025

Lori Vallow Daybell told an Arizona jury on Monday, April 7, that the death of her fourth husband Charles Vallow was a case of self-defense. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-defense

• antisense
• commonsense
• effulgence
• frankincense
• ninepence
• nondefense
• penitence
• recommence
• recompence
• recompense
• cense
• dense

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