Defence vs. Defense: What’s the Difference?

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The words defence and defense are often used differently in British and American English. Though their meanings are the same, the spelling changes depending on the region. In this easy reference guide for English learners, you’ll explore the difference between these two words, learn when to use each one, and see useful examples to help you write and speak with confidence.

What Do “Defence” and “Defense” Mean?

Both “defence” (British English) and “defense” (American English) are nouns. They share the exact same meaning, but are spelled differently depending on which version of English you’re using. Let’s explore the meanings in more detail.

Protection Against Harm or Danger

This is the most common meaning. Defence/Defense refers to the act of protecting someone or something from danger, harm, or attack. This can be in war, in daily life, or even in a personal sense.

Example Sentences:

• The army is ready to act in defence/defense of the country.
• A good defence/defense system is important for national security.
• Wearing a helmet is a form of defence/defense against head injuries.

The Legal Side That Supports the Accused

In legal situations, defence/defense refers to the lawyers and arguments used to support someone who is accused of a crime. The person or team tries to prove that the person is not guilty.

Example Sentences:

• The lawyer gave a strong defence/defense in court.
• The judge listened carefully to the defence/defense arguments.
• His defence/defense claimed he was not at the scene of the crime.

In Sports: Stopping the Opponent

In sports, defence/defense refers to the players or actions that stop the other team from scoring points. Every team usually has attackers (offense) and defenders (defense).

Example Sentences:

• Their defence/defense was too weak, so they lost the match.
• The coach focused on building a strong defence/defense this season.
• Good defence/defense can win a game, not just good offense.

Examples in Sentences

Let’s look at more examples to help you understand when and how to use “defence” or “defense” depending on the spelling style.

🇬🇧 British English (Defence):

• The Ministry of Defence is working on a new safety plan.
• He was praised for his brave defence of his friend.
• Their team’s defence improved in the second half.

🇺🇸 American English (Defense):

• The Department of Defense released a new report.
• She gave a strong defense during the debate.
• The basketball team focused more on defense than offense.

Tip: When writing, choose either British or American English and stay consistent.

Common Phrases with “Defence” / “Defense”

Here are some common phrases where “defence” or “defense” appears:

• She took a class in self-defence/self-defense.
• The country has strong lines of defence/defense.
• That joke was just a defence/defense mechanism to hide his nerves.

Related Words (Same Root)

Here are more words related to “defence/defense” that follow similar rules:

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