Defense vs. Defence: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Defense is the American English spelling of a word meaning protection or resistance against attack, while Defence is the British English spelling of the same word.
Key Differences
"Defense" is the spelling used in American English to describe the action of defending or protecting against something. "Defence," on the other hand, follows the British English convention, carrying the same meaning but with a different spelling.
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Nov 15, 2023
In legal contexts, "defense" refers to the case presented by the party accused of a crime in the United States. Conversely, "defence" is used in the same legal context within the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
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When discussing military matters, the American term "Department of Defense" refers to the federal agency responsible for national security. The British equivalent, "Ministry of Defence," signifies the same agency but adheres to British spelling.
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In sports, "defense" is used in American English to describe strategies or actions taken to prevent the opposing team from scoring. In British English, the same concept is referred to as "defence."
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Both "defense" and "defence" are used in scientific and technical contexts to mean the mechanism of protection or resistance, with the spelling depending on whether American or British English is used.
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Comparison Chart
Legal Context
Defense attorney, defense case
Defence solicitor, defence case
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Sports Terminology
Playing defense in basketball
Playing defence in football
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Scientific Context
Biological defense mechanisms
Biological defence mechanisms
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Defense and Defence Definitions
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Defence
The action of defending, of protecting from attack, danger or injury.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
(Sports) The act or an instance of defending a championship against a challenger
Will box in his third defense of his title.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defence
A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defence
The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offence.
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Defence
Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
Department of Defence
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Defense
A fact or law that provides a full or partial exoneration of the defendant against the charges or claims made in a lawsuit or prosecution.
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Defense
The means or tactics used in trying to stop the opposition from scoring.
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Defence
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
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Defense
The team or those players on the team attempting to stop the opposition from scoring.
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Defence
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring;
His teams are always good on defense
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Defence
The defendant and his legal advisors collectively;
The defense called for a mistrial
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Defense
The provision of personnel and resources for military purposes
Proposed spending more on defense.
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Defence
An organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack;
He joined the defense against invasion
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Defence
The speech act of answering an attack on your assertions;
His refutation of the charges was short and persuasive
In defense he said the other man started it
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Oct 19, 2023
Defence
The justification for some act or belief;
He offered a persuasive defense of the theory
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The action of defending or protecting from attack, danger, or injury.
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Defence
A structure used for defense;
The artillery battered down the defenses
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Defence
A defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him;
He gave evidence for the defense
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Defense
A strategy and tactics employed to prevent the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defence
Military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies;
They died in the defense of Stalingrad
They were developed for the defense program
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The portion of a team dedicated to preventing the other team from scoring; contrasted with offense.
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Defence
Protection from harm;
Sanitation is the best defense against disease
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Defense
Government policy or (infra)structure related to the military.
Department of Defense
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Defense
The act of defending, or the state of being defended; protection, as from violence or danger.
In cases of defense 't is best to weighThe enemy more mighty than he seems.
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Defense
That which defends or protects; anything employed to oppose attack, ward off violence or danger, or maintain security; a guard; a protection.
War would arise in defense of the right.
God, the widow's champion and defense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
Protecting plea; vindication; justification.
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The defendant's answer or plea; an opposing or denial of the truth or validity of the plaintiff's or prosecutor's case; the method of proceeding adopted by the defendant to protect himself against the plaintiff's action.
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Defense
Act or skill in making defense; defensive plan or policy; practice in self defense, as in fencing, boxing, etc.
A man of great defense.
By how much defense is better than no skill.
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
Prohibition; a prohibitory ordinance.
Severe defenses . . . against wearing any linen under a certain breadth.
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Defense
To furnish with defenses; to fortify.
Better manned and more strongly defensed.
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Defense
(sports) the team that is trying to prevent the other team from scoring;
His teams are always good on defense
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
Military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies;
They died in the defense of Stalingrad
They were developed for the defense program
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The defendant and his legal advisors collectively;
The defense called for a mistrial
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
Protection from harm;
Sanitation is the best defense against disease
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
A structure used for defense;
The artillery battered down the defenses
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The speech act of answering an attack on your assertions;
His refutation of the charges was short and persuasive
In defense he said the other man started it
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The justification for some act or belief;
He offered a persuasive defense of the theory
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
A defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him;
He gave evidence for the defense
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
An organization of defenders that provides resistance against attack;
He joined the defense against invasion
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
The federal department responsible for safeguarding national security of the UnitedStates; created in 1947
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Oct 19, 2023
Defense
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the main difference between defense and defence?
"defense" is American English, while "defence" is British English.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can defense and defence be used interchangeably?
They can be used interchangeably in meaning but should match the variant of English being used.
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Nov 15, 2023
Do defense and defence have the same pronunciation?
Yes, both words are pronounced the same way.
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What does defense/defence mean in sports?
It refers to the strategies or players focused on preventing the opposing team from scoring.
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How is defense/defence used in a military context?
It refers to strategies and actions taken to protect a country from external threats.
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What does the Department of Defense/Ministry of Defence do?
They are government departments responsible for implementing military policies.
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In legal terms, what does defense/defence mean?
It refers to the argument or case presented by or on behalf of the party being accused or sued.
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Nov 15, 2023
Can defense/defence refer to physical structures?
Yes, it can refer to structures like walls or fortifications built for protection.
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Nov 15, 2023
Which English-speaking countries primarily use "defense"?
The United States and others that follow American English conventions.
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How is defense/defence used in a political context?
It's used to discuss policies or actions related to national security.
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How should I choose between defense and defence in writing?
Choose based on whether you are using American or British English standards.
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Is defense/defence used in psychology?
Yes, in psychology, it refers to mechanisms used by individuals to cope with reality and maintain self-image.
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Which countries use the spelling "defence"?
The UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries following British English conventions.
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Nov 15, 2023
Does defense/defence have the same legal connotations in all English-speaking countries?
Yes, the legal connotations are the same, though the spelling differs.
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Nov 15, 2023
Are there idioms that use defense/defence?
Yes, phrases like "the best defense is a good offense" use the concept.
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In literature, how is defense/defence used?
It can be used metaphorically to represent a character's protective actions or stances.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is defense/defence ever used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, it can refer to arguments or positions in debates or discussions.
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Nov 15, 2023
Is defense/defence used in biology?
In biology, it refers to mechanisms by which organisms protect themselves from predators or disease.
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In computing, what does defense/defence mean?
It refers to measures taken to protect against cyber threats.
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Can defense/defence have a psychological meaning?
Yes, it can refer to an individual's unconscious protective measures against psychological harm.
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Nov 15, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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