on defense

phrase

sports
: on the part of a team that defends the goal
She began the season on defense, but her coach later put her on offense.

Examples of on defense in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From being handed important communication roles on defense to being moved around as a chess piece in multiple defensive spots, Downs has answered each challenge the coaching staff has handed him. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026 Both factors have spent much of 2026 vilifying Volpe’s play, particularly on defense. — Chuck Murr, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 But when the Red Sox came out on defense in the bottom of the third Nick Sogard took Contreras’ place at first base, with Anthony Seigler subbing in at second base. — Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026 Right now, Russia is spending eight percent of its GDP on defense—a high figure—but far less than what the Soviet Union or the United States spent during World War II, or the nearly 40 percent Ukraine is spending right now. — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for on defense

Rhymes for on defense

See All Rhymes for on defense

Browse Nearby Words

on deck
on defense
on delivery
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On defense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20defense. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of torpor

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All