B1 noun ニュートラル #5 よく出る 2分で読める

defense

/dɪˈfɛns/

Defense refers to the act of protecting someone or something from attack or harm. It can also mean a legal argument presented by a defendant in court to justify their actions or challenge the accusations against them.

Defense is about actively protecting against threats, whether in a physical, legal, or abstract sense.

Understand "defense" at Your Level

読み込み中...

30秒でわかる単語

  • Protecting from attack or harm.
  • Legal arguments by a defendant.
  • Actions to prevent negative outcomes.

Summary

Defense is about actively protecting against threats, whether in a physical, legal, or abstract sense.

  • Protecting from attack or harm.
  • Legal arguments by a defendant.
  • Actions to prevent negative outcomes.

Think of active protection

When you hear 'defense', think of active measures taken to stop something bad from happening.

Legal context is specific

In law, 'defense' refers specifically to the arguments presented by the accused, not general protection.

National defense importance

The concept of national defense is a fundamental aspect of state sovereignty and security in most countries worldwide.

例文

4 / 4
1

The army built a strong defense to protect the city from attack.

2

The lawyer mounted an effective defense, arguing her client was not present at the crime scene.

3

Good team defense is crucial for winning the championship.

4

The immune system provides a vital defense against pathogens.

語族

名詞
defense
動詞
defend
副詞
defensively
形容詞
defensive

覚え方のコツ

Think of a knight building a 'defense' wall around their castle to protect it from invaders. The wall is the defense.

Overview

The word 'defense' primarily signifies protection against danger, attack, or harm. This protection can be physical, like a military defense of a country, or abstract, like a legal defense in court. It implies an action taken to prevent negative outcomes or to mitigate damage.

Usage Patterns

'Defense' is frequently used in contexts involving security, conflict, law, and sports. It can be a noun referring to the act or state of defending, or part of a compound noun like 'air defense' or 'self-defense'. The concept of defense is crucial in understanding how individuals, groups, and nations protect themselves. In legal settings, 'defense' refers to the arguments and evidence presented by the accused party to prove their innocence or reduce their culpability.

Common Contexts:

  • Military/Security: 'National defense', 'border defense', 'missile defense system'.
  • Legal: 'Legal defense', 'mounting a defense', 'defense attorney', 'alibi defense'.
  • Sports: 'Team defense', 'defensive player', 'goal defense'.
  • Personal: 'Self-defense', 'defensive measures'.
  • Health: 'Immune system defense'.

Similar Words Comparison:

  • Protection: Broader term, can be passive or active. Defense is usually a more active response to a specific threat.
  • Security: Refers to the state of being free from danger or threat, or measures taken to achieve this state. Defense is an action within the realm of security.
  • Safeguard: An action or measure taken to protect someone or something. Often implies preventing potential harm rather than responding to an active attack.
  • Resistance: An act of opposing or fighting against something or someone. Defense is often a form of resistance, but resistance can also be passive or aimed at preventing change.

使い方のコツ

The word 'defense' is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In legal settings, it has a very specific meaning related to the accused's arguments. Be mindful of the context to use it appropriately.

よくある間違い

Avoid using 'defense' when you mean the act of defending (verb form 'defend') or an adjective describing something related to defense ('defensive'). For example, say 'He will defend the goal' (verb), not 'He will defense the goal'.

覚え方のコツ

Think of a knight building a 'defense' wall around their castle to protect it from invaders. The wall is the defense.

語源

The word 'defense' comes from the Old French 'defens', meaning 'protection, safeguard'. It ultimately derives from the Latin 'defensio', meaning 'a defending, protection'.

文化的な背景

The concept of defense is deeply ingrained in human societies, from personal safety and community protection to national security and international relations. Cultural norms often dictate acceptable forms of defense, particularly in legal and military contexts.

例文

1

The army built a strong defense to protect the city from attack.

military
2

The lawyer mounted an effective defense, arguing her client was not present at the crime scene.

legal
3

Good team defense is crucial for winning the championship.

sports
4

The immune system provides a vital defense against pathogens.

biological

語族

名詞
defense
動詞
defend
副詞
defensively
形容詞
defensive

よく使う組み合わせ

strong defense
mount a defense
national defense
self-defense

よく使うフレーズ

in defense of

plea of defense

air defense

よく混同される語

defense vs offense

While 'defense' is about protecting against an attack, 'offense' is about initiating an attack or aggressive action. They are opposing concepts, often used together in sports and military strategy.

defense vs protection

'Protection' is a broader term that can include passive measures or general safety. 'Defense' typically implies a more active response to a specific threat or danger.

文法パターン

defense against [something] mount a defense in defense of [someone/something]

Think of active protection

When you hear 'defense', think of active measures taken to stop something bad from happening.

Legal context is specific

In law, 'defense' refers specifically to the arguments presented by the accused, not general protection.

National defense importance

The concept of national defense is a fundamental aspect of state sovereignty and security in most countries worldwide.

自分をテスト

fill blank

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the word.

The castle had a strong ____ against invaders.

正解! おしい! 正解: defense

'Defense' is the noun needed here to refer to the protection system of the castle.

multiple choice

Choose the best word to complete the sentence.

In court, the lawyer presented a strong ____ for her client.

正解! おしい! 正解: defense

In a legal context, 'defense' refers to the arguments and evidence presented by the accused.

sentence building

Arrange the words to form a grammatically correct sentence.

words: team / strong / defense / has / the

正解! おしい! 正解: The team has strong defense.

This sentence correctly uses 'defense' as a noun referring to the team's ability to prevent the opponent from scoring.

スコア: /3

よくある質問

4 問

'Defense' is about protecting or guarding against an attack, while 'offense' is about initiating an attack or aggressive action.

Yes, 'defense' can refer to abstract concepts like a legal defense in court or the body's immune system defense against illness.

Self-defense is the right to protect yourself from harm using reasonable force. It's a justification for actions taken to prevent immediate danger to oneself.

In sports, 'defense' refers to the actions taken by players to prevent the opposing team from scoring points or advancing.

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