n.

1. 防护；防御
   Offence is the best defence.

   进攻是最好的防御。

2. 国防[U]
   The government has reduced its expense on defence.

   政府减少了国防开支。

3. 防御物[C]；防御工事[P]
   The country put up a strong defence against the enemy's invasion.

   为了抵制敌人的侵略，这个国家布置了坚固的防御工事。

   When the war ended all defences stopped, too.

   战争结束时防御工事也停止了。

4. 【律】答辩；抗辩[C]
   His defence was weak.

   他的答辩软弱无力。

5. 【律】被告[U]
   a witness for the defence

   被告的证人

n.

1. the action of defending from or resisting attack.
   ▸military measures or resources for protecting a country.
   ▸ (often defences) a means of protecting something from attack.
2. the case presented by or on behalf of the party being accused or sued in a lawsuit.
   ▸ (the defence) [treated as sing. or pl.] the counsel for the defendant in a lawsuit.
3. attempted justification or vindication:
   he spoke in defence of a disciplined approach.
4. (in sport) the action or role of defending one's goal or wicket against the opposition.
   ▸ (the defence) the players in a team who perform a defensive role.