defend

IPA: dɪfˈɛnd

(transitive) To ward off attacks against; to fight to protect; to guard.
(transitive) To support by words or writing; to vindicate, talk in favour of.
(transitive, law) To make legal defence of; to represent (the accused).
(sports) To focus one's energies and talents on preventing opponents from scoring, as opposed to focusing on scoring.
(sports) To attempt to retain a title, or attempt to reach the same stage in a competition as one did in the previous instance of that competition.
(poker slang) To call a raise from the big blind.
(transitive, obsolete) To ward off, repel (an attack or attacker).
(transitive, obsolete) To prevent, to keep (from doing something).
(transitive, intransitive, obsolete) To prohibit, forbid.

Examples of "defend" in Sentences

The soldier bravely stood at the front lines to defend his country from attack
The lawyer worked tirelessly to defend her client in court
The mother bear will fiercely defend her cubs from any potential threats
It is important to defend your beliefs and stand up for what you think is right
The security guard's main responsibility is to defend the building from intruders