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

As Barcelona’s defender landed on the ground, the ball hit the back of his arm. —Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

The bulk of the scheme was sending multiple defenders on the ball when Jokic had it, but the rotations on the back end after these double teams were good as well. —Mikai Bruce, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Playing for the Rose Basketball Club, Reese was posting up down low when her defender took a charge. —Ryan Morik, Fox News, 22 Feb. 2025

An elite defender, Anunoby is averaging 16.4 points per game on 48.2% shooting, including 36.5% from 3-point range. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 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