What is defend? Pronunciation and usage in English

defend means . Learn how to pronounce and use defend through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of defend

defendverb

/dɪˈfɛnd/
Definition & pronunciation of defend

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "defend" in English. Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a couple of ways to say it:

1. Phonetic Transcription (most accurate):

  • ˈdɛfənd (This is a simplified phonetic representation)

Let's break that down:

  • ˈ (This symbol means primary stress - it's the strongest part of the word)
  • d – as in “dog”
  • ɛ – a short, open “e” sound, like in “bed” or “met”
  • f – as in “fun”
  • ənd – The “nd” is pronounced as a single unit. The “n” is pronounced as in “no”, and the “d” is a brief, sharp “d” sound.

2. How to Say it Aloud (with explanations):

Here are a couple of ways to say it, with some tips:

  • Option 1 (More Common): “Deh-fend” – This is the way most native speakers would say it. Emphasize the “de” part a little more.

  • Option 2 (More Precise): “Def-end” – This version better reflects the phonetic transcription. It's slightly quicker and more clipped.

Tips for getting it right:

  • The "e" in "def": Don’t pronounce it as "eh" like in "bed." It’s a short, quick “e” as in “met”.
  • The “nd”: The "nd" is blended together – you don’t pronounce them separately. It’s a single sound.
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("def").

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Translate: Type "defend" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon to hear it pronounced.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/defend/ This site has pronunciations from native speakers.

To help me tailor the explanation even more, could you tell me:

  • Are you trying to pronounce the word in a specific accent (e.g., American English, British English)?

Usage and examples with the word defend in English

Let's break down how to use the word "defend" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, but they all revolve around the idea of protecting something or someone.

1. To Protect (Most Common Usage)

  • Definition: To protect someone or something from harm, attack, or danger.
  • Examples:
    • "The soldiers defended the city against the invading army." (Protecting a place)
    • "She defended her friend when someone accused her of lying." (Protecting a person)
    • “The company will defend its patent against competitors.” (Protecting property – in this case, intellectual property)
    • "He defended his dog from the aggressive mailman." (Protecting a living being)

2. To Argue in Support of (Legal/Formal Context)

  • Definition: To argue in favor of something, often in a legal setting or formal debate. This is how it's used in courtrooms.
  • Examples:
    • "The lawyer defended his client vigorously." (Argued for the client’s innocence)
    • "The witness defended her testimony under cross-examination." (Stood by her original statement despite questioning)
    • “The prosecution failed to defend the accused’s actions.” (Meaning the prosecution didn’t successfully argue against the charges)

3. To Maintain or Support (More General)

  • Definition: To maintain or uphold something, like a belief, principle, or right. It’s about actively supporting and resisting challenges to it.
  • Examples:
    • "She defended her beliefs fiercely." (Maintained her convictions)
    • "He defended the rights of minorities." (Supported and fought for their rights)
    • "The institution defended its reputation after the scandal." (Maintained its image)

Key Phrases & Variations:

  • Defend against: To protect from something specific. “They defended against the attack.”
  • Defend someone/something: To protect the person or thing. “She defended her brother.” “They defended the homeland.”
  • Defend a position: To argue in favor of a particular viewpoint. “He defended his position on climate change.”

Tips for Using "Defend" Correctly:

  • Context is crucial: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand which meaning of "defend" is intended.
  • Strong Verbs: "Defend" is a strong, active verb. It implies effort and resistance.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "defend" in? (e.g., a story, a conversation, an essay?)

Synonyms for the word defend

Practice with vocabulary defend

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The legal team prepared extensively to ______ their client against the accusations of malpractice.
  2. Modern firewalls help to ______ corporate networks from cyber threats.
  3. As a civil servant, she was committed to ______ ethical conduct in public office.
  4. Soldiers were positioned along the border to ______ the nation's sovereignty.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The attorney's primary task was to ______ her client against the baseless accusations. A. prosecute B. accuse C. exonerate D. vindicate E. represent

  2. A nation must always be prepared to ______ its borders from external aggression. A. invade B. protect C. penetrate D. attack E. secure

  3. During the intense debate, she had to ______ her innovative but controversial ideas. A. abandon B. surrender C. uphold D. challenge E. champion

  4. It is essential to ______ a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. A. suppress B. foster C. discourage D. neglect E. prevent

  5. Businesses must constantly ______ their intellectual property against infringement. A. relinquish B. exploit C. disregard D. safeguard E. expose

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The local community gathered to protest against the proposed construction, aiming to preserve their historical landmark. Rewrite (using "defend" or related word forms):

  2. Original: His strong arguments helped him to successfully argue for his position in the meeting. Rewrite (using "defend" or related word forms):

  3. Original: Companies need robust systems to protect their confidential client data from cyberattacks. Rewrite (not using "defend"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. defend
  2. protect
  3. uphold
  4. defend

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. D. vindicate, E. represent
  2. B. protect, E. secure
  3. C. uphold, E. champion
  4. B. foster
  5. D. safeguard

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The local community gathered to protest against the proposed construction, aiming to defend their historical landmark.
  2. His strong arguments helped him to successfully defend his position in the meeting.
  3. Companies need robust systems to safeguard their confidential client data from cyberattacks.

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