defend
verb uk/dɪˈfend/ us/dɪˈfend/
(PROTECT)
B1 [ T ]保护，防卫;为…辩护
to protect someone or something against attack or criticism; to speak in favour of someone or something
How can we defend our homeland if we don't have an army? 如果没有军队，我们怎能保护我们的家园？
White blood cells help defend the body against infection. 白细胞帮助保护身体免受感染。
They are fighting to defend their beliefs/interests/rights. 他们在为捍卫自己的信仰／利益／权利而战。
He vigorously defended his point of view. 他极力为自己的观点辩护。
The president was asked how he could defend (= explain his support for) a policy that increased unemployment. 首相被问及为什么他竟然会支持导致失业率上升的政策。
I'm going to karate lessons to learn how to defend myself. 我要去参加空手道训练课，学习如何自我防卫。
UK The Bank of England intervened this morning to defend the pound (= stop it from losing value). 今晨，英格兰银行为防止英镑贬值采取了干预措施。
Compare: attack verb (HURT)
- More examples
- All the police officers were equipped with shields to defend themselves against the rioters.
- The general rallied his forces to defend the town.
- A female lion defends her young ferociously.
- Instead of defending traditional values, the church frequently seems weak-kneed and irresolute.
- In the past, the party would have closed ranks around its leader and defended him loyally.
(IN COURT OF LAW)
（在法庭上）为…辩护，当…的辩护律师
to act as a lawyer for someone who has been accused of something in a court of law and try to prove that they are not guilty
I can't afford a lawyer, so I shall defend myself (= argue my own case in a court of law). 我请不起律师，所以我将在法庭上自辩。
(IN SPORT)
[ T ]（运动比赛中）卫冕;蝉联冠军
to compete in a sports competition that you won before and try to win it again
He will defend his 1,500 metre title this weekend. 他会在周末1500米比赛中争取卫冕。
The defending champion will play her first match of the tournament tomorrow. 卫冕冠军将在明天进行她在此次锦标赛中的第一场比赛。
[ I ]（在体育比赛中）防守，防卫
to try to prevent the opposing player or players from scoring points, goals, etc. in a sport
In the last ten minutes of the game, we needed to defend. 我们得在比赛的最后十分钟内进行防守。