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

Comment ()