Defense

Last updated June 06, 2025

Defense or defence may refer to:

Tactical, martial, and political acts or groups

Defense (military), forces primarily intended for warfare
Civil defense, the organizing of civilians to deal with emergencies or enemy attacks
Defense industry, industry which manufactures and sells weapons and military technology
Self-defense, the use of force to defend oneself
Haganah (Hebrew for "The Defence"), a paramilitary organization in British Palestine
National security, security of a nation state, its citizens, economy, and institutions, as a duty of government
- Defence diplomacy, pursuit of foreign policy objectives through the peaceful employment of defence resources
- Ministry of defence or department of defense, a part of government which regulates the armed forces
- Defence minister, a cabinet position in charge of a ministry of defense
International security, measures taken by states and international organizations to ensure mutual survival and safety

Defense (sports), the action of preventing an opponent from scoring
- Defender (association football), an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring goals
- Defenceman (ice hockey), a player, other than the goaltender, in a defensive position
- Defensive batting, a method of avoiding being out in cricket

Defense (legal), an attempt to avoid criminal or civil liability
Defence of property, argument that a defendant should not be held liable for any loss caused while acting to protect their property
Right of self-defense, the right for people to use reasonable force to defend themselves

Defence, Karachi, a neighbourhood located within Clifton Cantonment of Karachi, Pakistan
La Défense, a business district near Paris
- The Grande Arche, commonly known as Arche de la Défense, near Paris

The Defence (TV series), a 2018 Polish television series
Defense (chess), a chess opening by Black
Defence (ship), name of several ships
- HMS Defence, Royal Navy ships of this name
Thesis defense, oral examination required for certain advanced degrees
Defence mechanisms, unconscious psychological mechanisms that reduce anxiety
"The Defence", a song by Black Midi from Hellfire